EKYSY union meets with Deputy Minister of Welfare to demand pension and poverty line reforms

A delegation from the Association of Cypriot Pensioners (EKYSY) met with the new Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Tina Pavlou, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The meeting served as a follow-up to previous discussions held in July with the former Deputy Minister, Klea Papaellina, and focused on addressing systemic issues affecting low-income pensioners.

Central to the discussions was the demand for a revision of the poverty threshold, which has remained fixed at 794 euros for individuals and 1,191 euros for two-person households since 2013. EKYSY highlighted data from the Statistical Service indicating that the updated threshold should be 1,018 euros and 1,527 euros, respectively. The organization argues that outdated criteria, exacerbated by the rising cost of living, exclude thousands of beneficiaries from vital state support.

Additionally, the union requested an automatic 20% discount on electricity bills and a comprehensive review of subsidy schemes for elderly care facilities. The meeting underscored the urgent need for structural pension reform to mitigate existing inequalities. The organization maintains that these changes are necessary to provide adequate relief to vulnerable pensioners facing ongoing economic pressures.