Cyprus’ trade unions suspended their joint meeting on Monday afternoon after receiving a draft negotiation framework from the government side, citing “many ambiguities” in the document.
- Cyprus’ trade unions suspended their joint meeting on Monday afternoon after receiving a draft negotiation framework from the government side, citing “many ambiguities” in the document.
The decision to pause discussions was made during a pan-union conference held at the Peo headquarters in Nicosia, which began at 3.30pm. Representatives from all major unions, including Sek, Peo, Deok, Pasydy, Oelmek, and Pasyki, were present. The four leading organisations, Sek, Peo, Deok, and Pasydy, provided updates on the current situation.
Following the meeting, Peo general secretary Sotiroula Charalambous expressed concerns regarding the content of the draft, describing it as containing “many questions and ambiguities.” She emphasised the unions’ decision to seek further clarification before proceeding. “It would be premature and careless to make any comments before obtaining the necessary explanations,” Charalambous stated.
The union movement is currently united around two primary goals: restoring the cost of living allowance (CoLA) to its full 100 per cent value and extending this system to all workers. “We are ready for an agreement,” Charalambous added, “but we are also prepared to continue with any measures necessary to achieve these objectives.”
In a similar vein, Sek general secretary Andreas Matsas highlighted the need for clarity regarding the government’s text. He questioned whether it was intended as a mediation proposal or merely a draft for further discussion, asserting that clarifications from the relevant ministers are crucial before any substantive response can be formulated.
When asked about the possibility of meeting with ministers later that day, Matsas indicated it was a possibility, while Charalambous said that the next steps would be contingent on the clarifications received. Pasydy general secretary Stratis Mattheou remarked that the process must be respected before any meeting could be scheduled.
Matsas also stressed the importance of understanding the “form and purpose” of the text to evaluate it properly, labelling the procedural handling of the document as secondary to obtaining answers to the many questions it raised. He noted, “In a state of stagnation, any step forward creates prospects. We will assess how significant those prospects are before deciding how to proceed.”
Charalambous confirmed that a thorough evaluation would be made based on the principles established at the start of the negotiations. She warned that if no agreement is reached, “there is no alternative but to escalate industrial action.”
Deok president Stelios Christodoulou acknowledged that while some progress has been made, the situation remains uncertain. “As close as we may seem to a solution, we could be just as far,” he remarked.
Matsas concluded that the resolution of the matter depends significantly on the government’s responses to the unions’ queries. Meanwhile, the executive committee of the employers and industrialists federation (Oev) convened for an extended session on the same day, during which the government forwarded a “confidential note” titled Negotiation Framework for the Cost of Living Allowance. Oev director general Michalis Antoniou stated that “important sections of the document are unclear and contradictory, with references that complicate efforts to reach common ground.” He added that a more detailed public statement from Oev would be forthcoming in the days ahead.
The discussions among unions pertain to the renewal of the framework governing the CoLA, a pivotal issue that has been under negotiation since the last meeting with the labour and finance ministers on October 16.
