The issue of low wages in the public sector and the broader public sphere was not resolved yesterday, as negotiations on the matter seem to be ongoing to clarify whether the agreement reached last month between PASIDY, SEK, PEO, and the Ministry of Finance will be advanced or not.
In light of the above, the possibility of new mobilizations remains open after the completion of the 48-hour strike by members of the trade union ‘Isotita’ (Equality).
The other three unions, PASIDY, SEK, and PEO, discussed the entire issue and the possibility of reactions yesterday without, however, making specific decisions.
Unofficially, contacts with the government, awaiting its final policy decision on low wages, continued until late at night.
Therefore, the leaderships of the three unions decided to continue their negotiations today to make specific decisions, pending the government’s final decision, as soon as it becomes available.
However, considering the new negotiations, Isotita decided to give a few more days’ grace, warning that it would return with an escalation of measures starting from Monday.
Yesterday, hundreds of affected workers serving in the A2-A5-A7 scales of Isotita and other unions gathered again outside the Presidential Palace, insisting on the implementation of the President’s pre-election commitment and the implementation of what seems to have been agreed on October 31.
Lina Andreou, representing Isotita, stated to the Cyprus News Agency that the interested parties, having heard the Director-General of the Ministry of Finance say that as long as they are protesting in the streets, he will not make a proposal, will take a short break.
However, she warned that if nothing happens by Friday, next Monday they will proceed with more dynamic measures, blocking central roads leading to Nicosia, specifically the “Kalispera” lights.
The statements by Director-General George Pantelis were made yesterday morning on state radio, characterizing the issue of low wages as both political and economic, pertaining to the sustainability of public finances, as recurring expenses arise.
He also noted that amid strike mobilizations, negotiation is not rational.
He admitted that last October, there was an agreement to regulate the issue of progression in the A2-5-7 scale, based on which employees serving for 18 years and above would have the opportunity for progression to the A7 scale.
However, he implied that the issue of those who served in the A1 scale and now serve in A2-5-7 subsequently arose, complicating the entire situation.