Michaelidou pushes talks as 950 school staff stay on strike
The education minister says only negotiation can end the walkout by support and short-contract staff, and defends planned changes to how teachers win permanent posts.
Roughly 950 school employees, among them support staff and people on short contracts, have walked out indefinitely, and Education Minister Athena Michaelidou is pressing for the dispute to be settled through negotiation rather than industrial action. She spoke after the House human rights committee met, according to Cyprus Mail.
Two demands are still open. One is unemployment benefit for staff on indefinite contracts, which Michaelidou described as a financial and legal matter being examined with the finance ministry; the other is job access for fixed-term workers. She also rejected claims that the government plans to end anyone's employment.
What it means for residents
Families with children in public schools should expect possible gaps in support services while the walkout lasts, and the teacher appointment row could shape hiring for years.
- Schools: support cover may be thinner, so check with your school about any changes to daily routines.
- Money: the benefit question sits with the finance and labour ministries, not the education ministry alone.
- Timing: the appointments bill is due in parliament by the end of November, leaving room to have a say.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
