Nicosia, Cyprus. Employees working in support programmes of the education ministry will stage a 24-hour strike on Thursday, March 26, trade unions announced. A protest will be held outside the presidential palace on the same day.
Strike decision and planned protest
In a joint statement, Pasey-Peo and Oekdy-Sek said workers unanimously decided during a general assembly to proceed with the strike following recent developments.
Workers are expected to gather at a parking area near the Pasydy offices before marching to the presidential palace at 11.30am.
Concerns over proposed legislation
According to the announcement, a bill submitted to parliament last December “leaves hundreds of employees exposed, ignores the positions of trade unions, overlooks court rulings and conflicts with both national and European Union legislation ”.
The unions said the legislation to be voted on must safeguard jobs and respect court decisions and existing laws, “while also respecting the workers who have kept these programmes running and provide important social services”.
Union message on labour rights
The unions said that after years of efforts to abolish what they describe as “the illegal regime of purchasing services”, and following prolonged uncertainty and injustice, workers are sending a clear message.
“They do not accept further delays and do not accept solutions that ignore their labour rights,” the statement said.
How will the proposed bill affect the employees working in education ministry support programmes?
