Cypriot unions report shift in government stance on pay — Cyprus Mail

In Cyprus, trade unions said the government has changed its approach to raising wages for hourly paid public employees. After a meeting with Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, union representatives said the authorities had presented a proposal to improve pay conditions for the first time, but they consider it insufficient, Cyprus Mail reports.

Government presents its first proposal

Giorgos Constantinou, general secretary of the Oekdy union affiliated with Sek, said the government is showing an intention to raise wages, but there is still no agreement between the sides. According to him, negotiations will continue until the unions meet with President Nikos Christodoulides, scheduled for Monday, September 28.

Stavros Andreou, general secretary of the Pasyek union affiliated with Peo, also said there had been a change in the government's position. He noted that the authorities had recognized the need to improve wages, although, according to him, they had not done so previously.

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During the meeting with Keravnos, the government presented its first proposal, which includes improvements for current employees and starting salaries for future staff. Andreou called the very submission of such a proposal important, but stressed that its parameters do not meet the unions' minimum requirements.

Unions seek an 8 percent increase

According to Andreou, the unions are demanding an overall 8% wage increase over three years. He did not disclose details of the government proposal, but said the proposed level does not reach even half of the unions' demands. He also said the terms of the proposal differ depending on when exactly the increases are to begin.

Andreou said the current proposal does not make it possible to conclude an agreement, but leaves room for further dialogue with the government and the president. Representatives of Oekdy-Sek, Pasyek-Peo and Deok are due to meet with Christodoulides at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28.