Education Ministry support programme workers begin indefinite strike over unimplemented employment law

Nicosia, Cyprus. Employees of the Education Ministry’s support programmes start an indefinite strike on Monday, November 2, accusing the government of not putting into effect the law that regulates their employment. The unions PASEY-PEO and OEKDY-SEK also plan a march from the finance ministry to the Presidential Palace on Thursday, November 5.

Unions’ demands

In a joint statement released on Friday, PASEY-PEO and OEKDY-SEK said the march aims to secure the immediate fulfilment of commitments and the safeguarding of workers’ rights and income. They urged all staff in the support programmes to join both the strike and the Thursday demonstration.

Related: Education Ministry Support Staff to Begin Indefinite Strike Over Months of Unpaid Wages

RelatedEducation Ministry Support Staff to Begin Indefinite Strike Over Months of Unpaid Wages

The dispute over the law

The unions said the strike decision came after the education ministry kept failing to implement legislation that the government itself had proposed and parliament approved on April 21, 2026. According to them, the law sets out particular recruitment procedures for the programmes, yet the ministry has not applied them in every programme, which has left several employees without work.

The unions also alleged that posts meant for fixed-term staff are being covered by appointed personnel working overtime.

Pay and benefits

The statement said that, despite the unions’ efforts, the government keeps putting off a political decision on paying those whose employment has not been terminated. The unions added that the delays have left workers without income, without access to unemployment benefits and without pay for five months.