Nicosia, Cyprus. Trade unions on Thursday rejected the pension reform bills due to be submitted by July, citing unresolved issues, while the government said it would proceed with tabling the legislation before parliament breaks for the summer.
Minister confirms July submission
Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas held talks with the SEK and PEO trade unions, which are members of the Labour Advisory Board, the top advisory body on labour relations and social policy made up of representatives of the government, employers and trade unions.
After the meeting, Mousiouttas told reporters that, despite the concerns raised by the unions, the legislation on pension reform would be submitted to parliament before the House goes into its summer recess in mid-July.
“This way, we will have all the summer ahead of us to discuss it,” the minister said.
Government timetable
Under the government’s timetable, the bills would be submitted in July, followed by informal discussions over the summer between the government and parliamentary parties. Formal examination of the legislation would then begin in the autumn after the House reconvenes.
The government’s target is for the pension reform legislation to be approved and enter into force on January 1, 2027.
Union objections
Both SEK and PEO expressed serious reservations about the process, saying the substance of the reform should come before the timetable.
The leaders of both unions said the main objective should be to secure adequate pensions over the long term and ensure pensions remain above the poverty line.
SEK leader Andreas Matsas also objected to the government’s plan to discuss the different pillars of pension reform separately, saying one aspect affects the others.
