Employees in support programmes under the Ministry of Education and officers in the Social Welfare Services are holding separate 24-hour strikes on Friday, with unions warning that further industrial action could follow if longstanding employment concerns remain unresolved.
The actions involve workers in education support programmes seeking progress on employment-related demands, while social welfare officers are protesting staffing shortages and increasing workloads.
Education support programme workers demand written commitments
According to reports by CyBC, employees in the Ministry of Education's support programmes are participating in a nationwide strike, arguing that government commitments on key labour issues remain unfulfilled.
In a joint statement, the PASEY PEO and OEKDY SEK trade unions called on the government to provide written decisions and concrete responses to outstanding demands.
The unions warned that, if no progress is achieved, they will proceed with another nationwide strike on 2 November, accompanied by a protest outside the Presidential Palace.
They also said the possibility of an indefinite strike remains under consideration should the issues remain unresolved.
Key employment demands
A central demand concerns the introduction of an allowance for employees who remain without salary and without other paid work during the summer months, from June to August.
Workers are also seeking:
- The filling of fixed-term employment positions for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Protection of the right to secondary employment, within the legal limit of 48 working hours per week.
The unions maintain that these matters remain pending despite previous commitments and are seeking formal decisions rather than further assurances.
Social welfare officers cite staffing shortages
At the same time, members of the Isotita trade union working in the Social Welfare Services are participating in a 24-hour warning strike.
The union said longstanding challenges within the services have worsened, affecting both working conditions and the quality of support provided to the public.
According to the union, the main concerns include:
- Understaffing
- Heavy workloads
- Assignment of additional duties to officers
The statement also referred to administrative procedures that it says hinder day-to-day operations, as well as issues relating to workplace instructions and occupational safety.
Protest planned outside deputy ministry
The union argues that the current situation places additional pressure on employees and affects the services' ability to respond effectively to citizens' needs, particularly those of vulnerable groups.
As part of Friday's action, striking employees are due to gather at 9am outside the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, calling for measures to address the issues raised.
The union has urged all Social Welfare Services officers, regardless of union affiliation, to take part in the mobilisation.
Further action remains possible
While the two strikes relate to different sectors and demands, both groups of workers say longstanding workplace issues remain unresolved.
In the case of employees in the Ministry of Education's support programmes, unions have already signalled the possibility of escalating industrial action, with 2 November identified as the next potential stage of mobilisation.
