Education support workers to stage 24-hour strike on Friday

Nicosia, Cyprus. Staff throughout the education ministry’s support programmes, including educational and technical courses, will hold a 24-hour walkout on Friday, according to SEK and PEO. The unions said the government had failed to honour commitments or settle outstanding employment matters.

Unions warn of further action

SEK and PEO said in a joint statement that they wanted answers in writing alongside concrete measures. Unless their demands were addressed, they warned of a further walkout, potentially without an end date, and a demonstration outside the presidential palace on November 2.

The unions said action scheduled for October 5 had been deferred for two weeks following a request from the education minister. They reported no substantial progress during that period.

Income and staffing demands

According to the unions, hundreds of employees have received no income since May, while others have lost their jobs to permanent teachers undertaking overtime.

Their principal demands included a summer allowance applied retrospectively to June-August 2026 and the filling of fixed-term posts for the 2026-2027 schoolyear. They also sought the removal of restrictions on taking additional work, subject to compliance with the statutory 48-hour limit.

Responsibility for escalation

The unions said responsibility for any escalation lay with the government. They stressed that workers needed jobs, fair earnings and respect for their rights.