Newsroom
Cyprus is bracing for a nationwide strike next week, after trade unions announced a three-hour walkout on Sept. 11 in protest over stalled talks on the cost-of-living allowance known as ATA.
According to Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, the stoppage, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is expected to bring much of the country to a halt, with unions representing nearly every sector, from construction and hotels to hospitals, schools, ports, public transport, and even the media, pledging to take part. Rallies will also be held across the island, with the main demonstration set for noon outside the Finance Ministry in Nicosia.
Unions say they’ve run out of patience after months of fruitless talks with employers and the government. They argue ATA, designed to help wages keep pace with inflation, must be fully restored and extended to cover workers on the minimum wage. Employers, however, warn that a 100% restoration would pose serious financial risks, instead pushing for what they call a “modernized” system with safeguards.
The Ministry of Labor has been trying to bridge the gap, urging all sides to act responsibly and avoid strike action, but progress has been limited.
Employer groups have condemned the strike as dangerous for the economy, warning it will hurt businesses, discourage investment, and ultimately backfire on workers and households already under financial strain. They’ve urged unions to return to the negotiating table instead of escalating tensions.
The temporary agreement on ATA expired at the end of 2023 without a new deal in place. Unions insist they gave ample time for dialogue and now see no choice but to pressure for a resolution.
For workers and businesses alike, the outcome of the dispute will determine whether ATA continues to serve as a shield against rising living costs or is reshaped into a more limited mechanism.
