EKYSY union meets with Deputy Minister Tina Pavlou to discuss pension 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 continuation of previous discussions held in July with the former Deputy Minister, Klea Papaellina, to address ongoing challenges faced by low-income pensioners.

Key proposals presented by the union include an urgent revision of the poverty threshold, which has remained unchanged since 2013 at 794 euros for individuals and 1,191 euros for two-person households. The union argues that these outdated figures, which exclude many beneficiaries despite rising living costs, should be updated to match Statistical Service data of 1,018 euros and 1,527 euros respectively. Additionally, the union requested an automatic 20% discount on electricity costs and a reform of subsidies for elderly care facilities to rectify systemic injustices and distortions in the current pension support scheme.

This dialogue remains part of an ongoing consultative process between the organization and the Deputy Ministry as they seek legislative and policy changes to support the elderly population, though no specific timeline for the implementation of these measures has been announced.