three-hour strike — three-hour strike — Cyprus will experience significant disruption on Thursday as a three-hour nationwide strike affects airports, schools, and public services amid ongoing disputes over the Cost-of-Living Allowance (CoLA).
Hermes Airports announced that more than 50 flights at Larnaca and Paphos airports are likely to be delayed or cancelled between 11am and 2pm, impacting over 15,000 passengers. The airport operator has urged travellers to contact their airlines or travel agents for the latest updates and to monitor the official website for rescheduled flight information.
As the strike unfolds, several flights have already been cancelled, including those from Jazeera Airways to and from Kuwait, Qatar Airways to and from Doha, and Emirates from Dubai to Malta. To manage the expected increase in passenger volume post-strike, additional staff will be on duty after 2pm.
Schools across the island are preparing for early closures, with parents advised to collect their children by 11am. School buses will not operate during the strike hours, and students attending all-day schools should return by 2pm to resume classes. Lunch services will not be provided, and privately run community nursery schools will adhere to their employers’ guidelines.
Public bus services will also face significant disruption. Cyprus Public Transport (CPT) has stated that many scheduled routes may not operate during the strike, advising passengers to make alternative arrangements. Only morning school bus routes will run, leaving parents to arrange for their children’s transport home.
In the health sector, hospitals will remain open but with reduced staffing. The national health scheme, Okypy, confirmed that A&E departments and wards will operate with minimal personnel during the strike hours. Patients with appointments during this time will be notified of any changes promptly.
Citizen service centres will close between the strike hours, and individuals with appointments will receive messages regarding rescheduling. The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is also adjusting its service hours, with customer service offices opening only briefly before the strike and resuming later in the day.
This industrial action follows failed negotiations earlier this week between unions, employers, and the government concerning reforms to CoLA, which also touch on tax and pension issues. President Christodoulides has described these reforms as essential for modernising a system that dates back to 1960. He acknowledged that reforms often provoke reactions but insisted they are in the public’s interest.
Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou emphasised that updating the allowance is necessary to meet contemporary needs, suggesting a graduated scale for CoLA based on earnings. He argued that higher earners should not receive the same support as those on minimum wage.
Trade unions, including Sek and Peo, assert that the strike is crucial for protecting workers, particularly those on low incomes. Employers have expressed a desire for dialogue on modernisation but have condemned the strike, highlighting the need for essential services to remain operational. Demonstrations are also planned across various towns in Cyprus during the strike.
In a joint statement, employers’ groups Oev and Keve have voiced their concerns over the government’s handling of the dispute, arguing that the current approach could harm the economy and deter foreign investment. They noted that the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission have previously called for the abolition of CoLA, marking it as a structural weakness within the public sector.
Political reactions are divided; while some parties advocate for the restoration of allowances, others support the strike as a necessary measure. President Christodoulides has called for calm, suggesting that industrial action does not foster progress on reform.
As the strike looms, it is clear that the impact will be felt across homes, schools, and workplaces throughout Cyprus, leaving citizens to navigate the challenges posed by this significant industrial action.