Newsroom
Cyprus Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou met with union leaders to discuss the Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustment (ATA). The minister tried to calm union concerns and bring them closer to the government’s idea of extending “ATA for all” workers, in order to avoid a second general strike.
According to an article by Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, unions attended with a willingness to compromise but kept their main demand: full restoration of ATA at 100%. They stressed that strike action remains an option if necessary. They also questioned the government’s lack of legal preparation, saying the proposal seemed rushed and not properly studied.
The next key step will be Panayiotou’s meeting with employer groups (OEB and CCCI) next week. Employers strongly oppose legislating ATA in the private sector, citing constitutional concerns, and warn that forcing it through law would push disputes into the courts instead of being solved through social dialogue.
The outcome of these talks will be crucial. If employers and unions cannot find common ground, the risk of escalation and strikes remains.
