Cypriot disability confederation condemns upcoming school staff strike

The Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of People with Disabilities (KYSOAA) has expressed strong opposition to a planned 24-hour strike by hourly-paid government staff and School Board personnel, scheduled for this Thursday. The organization stated that the industrial action will disproportionately affect students with disabilities, who rely on school assistants to attend classes, forcing them to stay at home while their peers return to school.

KYSOAA emphasized that this situation highlights critical issues regarding the current employment status of school aides. The confederation argues that these staff members should not be employed as hourly workers who are forced onto unemployment benefits during the three-month summer break. According to the group, this employment structure fundamentally excludes children with disabilities from accessing inclusive education. While acknowledging the right of employees to strike, the confederation criticized the impact this specific action has on the most vulnerable students.

The protest highlights ongoing systemic issues concerning how specialized support personnel are integrated into the public education system. No further information regarding potential resolutions or cancellations of the strike was provided in the report.