Education Ministry support programme workers protest over employment rights

Nicosia, Cyprus. Workers in the Education Ministry’s support programmes are holding a protest on Tuesday, demanding guarantees for their rights. Participants are due to gather at the PASYDY building at 9:30am before marching to the Presidential Palace.

Traffic arrangements

Police said road closures are expected because of the march and urged drivers to avoid affected areas where possible, remain patient and follow officers’ instructions.

Ministry position

A ministry source told Phileleftheros that the government ended the workers’ employment under a service-purchase arrangement after taking office and converted them into salaried staff.

The ministry subsequently prepared a bill to secure their status as ΕΑΧ/ΕΟΧ employees, in line with the workers’ request, the source said.

Unemployment benefit and legal advice

The source said the workers now have the rights and obligations of ΕΑΧ/ΕΟΧ staff, as applies across the public service. Under current legislation, they are not entitled to unemployment benefit, the source said, adding that the Labour Ministry agreed with that position and that a broader legal opinion existed.

The ministry has agreed to seek advice from the Law Office in support of the workers’ request, with the process under way, the source said.

Training programmes

The source said the ministry had also agreed to take all necessary steps to announce the State Institutes of Further Education and other training programmes for the 2026-2027 school year.

Given these actions, the source said the protest was unwarranted because the government was responding positively to the workers’ demands and pursuing their resolution through the proper procedures.