Lena Panayiotou appointed Oev deputy director-general from 2027

Nicosia, Cyprus. Lena Panayiotou has been promoted to deputy director-general of the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev), following more than two decades with the organisation.

The appointment will take effect on January 1, 2027, after Oev’s board unanimously approved the promotion at its September 17 meeting.

Career at Oev

Panayiotou joined Oev in 2004 as an officer in the Labour Relations and Social Policy Department.

She became director of the department in 2017, after serving as a senior officer and deputy director. In January 2024, she was appointed assistant director-general.

Labour policy role

Panayiotou has represented Oev in negotiations on labour issues, including pension system reform, employment policy, collective bargaining, labour shortages, the national minimum wage and the employment of workers from third countries.

Earlier this month, she represented the federation in discussions on planned pension reform, including proposals concerning the 12 per cent reduction applied to some early retirees. Oev said it wanted the reform to be considered as a whole and was awaiting detailed financial data before adopting a final position.

National and European bodies

According to her Oev biography, Panayiotou participates in the European Social Dialogue Committee, the Labour Advisory Body, the Social Insurance Council and the National Minimum Wage Adjustment Committee.

She is also a board member of the Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre and participates in the Industrial Disputes Tribunal. Oev has previously named her as its representative in European-level social dialogue on issues including teleworking and the right to disconnect.