Support programme staff walk out indefinitely over unapplied employment law
Employees in the education ministry's support programmes stopped work on Monday and will stay out indefinitely, with a protest march to the Presidential Palace planned for Thursday.
Workers in the education ministry's support programmes began an indefinite strike on Monday, November 2, according to Cyprus Mail, after the government failed to put into effect legislation covering their employment. Trade unions PASEY-PEO and OEKDY-SEK announced the walkout in a joint statement issued on Friday.
The law in question was passed by parliament on April 21, 2026, yet the unions say recruitment procedures it sets out are not being applied across every programme, leaving some staff without work. They also claim posts meant for fixed-term employees are being given to appointed staff who work overtime instead.
A protest march is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, running from the finance ministry to the Presidential Palace. The unions say those affected have gone five months without pay and cannot access unemployment benefits.
"Despite the unions' efforts, the government continues to postpone making a political decision to resolve the issue of payment for those whose employment has not been terminated," the joint statement said.
What it means for residents
Support programmes touch families across the island, so an open-ended stoppage can be felt quickly in schools and in households that depend on these services. For the workers themselves, the pressing issue is cash flow: months without wages and no unemployment cover.
- Parents and schools: check with your school or programme coordinator whether sessions are affected and what alternative arrangements exist.
- Programme staff: keep records of unpaid months and any correspondence, since documentation will matter whatever settlement is reached.
- Thursday's march: expect traffic disruption in central Nicosia along the route from the finance ministry to the Presidential Palace.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
