Cypriot teachers' unions threaten escalation over appointment dispute

On October 29, 2026, the three major Cypriot teachers' unions—POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK—announced their intention to send an official letter to President Nikos Christodoulides. The move follows a breakdown in negotiations with the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth regarding new policies on teacher appointments.

Myria Vasiliou, head of POED, stated that the unions and the Ministry have reached a stalemate. The unions argue that the Ministry’s current proposal is unacceptable, claiming it would victimize hundreds of teachers by leaving them unemployed or removing their prospects for permanent status. The unions demand a revision of the Ministry's underlying philosophy regarding the appointment process.

To address the deadlock, the unions have requested a high-level meeting with President Christodoulides. They have explicitly warned that if a resolution is not reached, they will not rule out escalating protest measures to pressure the government into changing its approach.