Turkish Cypriots stage general strike over planned changes to cost-of-living allowance

Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots on Monday held a general strike and marched in northern Nicosia over the ruling coalition’s plans regarding the cost-of-living allowance. Thousands converged on the Turkish Cypriot legislature building in the northern sector of Ayios Dhometios.

March routes and turnout

Organisers listed three starting points for the march: the “Citroen lights” at the top of Dereboyu Avenue in northern Nicosia, the “civil defence roundabout” in Ortakoy, and the “purple roundabout” in the far northwest of Ayios Dhometios. Demonstrators from the three locations converged on the legislature building at the end of their marches.

Planned allowance changes

The strike and march followed an earlier announcement this month by ‘finance minister’ Ozdemir Berova that public sector workers would be paid a cost-of-living allowance in April but would then receive no further such payments until next year.

Union response and participation

Trade unions had warned they would strike if the plans were passed by the ‘parliamentary’ finance committee, with 62 trade unions and other civil society organisations joining the strike.

Comments by union leader

Cyprus Turkish teachers’ trade union (Ktos) secretary-general Burak Mavish said on Kibris Postasi TV on Monday morning that he and other union leaders had requested to meet Berova on Sunday but received no response, leading them to call the general strike.

Asked about the Turkish Cypriot chamber of commerce (Ktto)’s view that “strikes should not be held in the education and health sectors”, Mavish described the statement as “manipulative”. He also said Ktto chairman Turgay Deniz “pays less tax than many civil servants and teachers”.

How do you think the planned changes to the cost-of-living allowance will affect public sector workers?