Cyprus state health workers announce 48-hour strike for November

Approximately 1,600 employees of the State Health Services Organization (OKYpY) in Cyprus, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, have unanimously decided to hold a 48-hour strike on November 10 and 11, 2026. This industrial action follows a complete breakdown in negotiations regarding the renewal of their collective agreement for 2026–2027 and alleged failures by the organization to honor the provisions of the 2023–2025 agreement.

The dispute centers on stagnant annual salary increases and unresolved personnel structures. Union representatives, including OEKDY SEK, PASYDY, PASYEK PEO, DEOK, PASYNO, and PASYKI, argue that these issues directly contribute to chronic understaffing, which hampers the smooth operation of public hospitals and the quality of patient care. The unions claim that negotiations stalled due to OKYpY’s insistence on preconditions regarding wage scale methodology for 2028 before agreeing to new terms.

The unions have officially called on the organization to engage in meaningful dialogue and present acceptable proposals before the November 10 deadline to avert the strike. If no agreement is reached, the walkout is expected to disrupt public healthcare services across the country.