Social welfare officers in Cyprus to hold 24-hour strike

Social Welfare Services officers in Cyprus, represented by the ISOTITA trade union, will hold a 24-hour warning strike on Friday, October 23, 2026. The industrial action serves as a protest against long-standing issues including chronic understaffing, excessive caseloads, bureaucratic obstacles, and inadequate workplace safety. Participants plan to assemble outside the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare at 09:00 to demand immediate improvements to service operations and better protection for both staff and the public.

According to Andri Matthaiou, president of the ISOTITA branch council, the decision follows years of unmet government promises regarding restructuring and modernization. Workers specifically point to a failure to deliver promised operational guidelines that were initially expected by December 2025. Union representatives emphasize that these structural deficits lead to significant delays and prevent vulnerable citizens from receiving necessary assistance. The workers are currently demanding specific measures to resolve these issues, with some communications suggesting they seek concrete commitments by the upcoming Christmas period to address the ongoing crisis.