State health service workers in Cyprus announce 48-hour strike

Approximately 1,600 employees of the State Health Services Organization (OKYpY) in Cyprus have unanimously decided to hold a 48-hour strike on November 10 and 11, 2026. This industrial action, supported by unions including OEKDY SEK, PASYDY, PASYEK PEO, DEEK KDOKO DEOK, PASYNO, and PASYKI, follows a deadlock in negotiations for the 2026–2027 collective agreement and accusations that the organization failed to implement provisions of the 2023–2025 agreement.

The dispute centers on annual salary increases and the establishment of personnel structures, which unions link to chronic understaffing and the quality of patient care. While the unions requested a 3% annual salary increase, OKYpY proposed 2.75% for 2026 and 2.50% for 2027, with 25% of the raise tied to performance evaluations. Unions argue the organization is stalling on commitments made in 2024 regarding organizational structures and the transition to annual salary increments.

OKYpY spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou has called for continued dialogue to avoid disruptions, stating that progress has been made on several issues. Despite this, the unions maintain that they will not engage in further commitments until existing agreements are honored. With the strike date approaching, concerns are growing regarding the operational impact on public hospitals and the potential for service disruptions for patients across the country.