Cyprus hotel workers are threatening strike action that could disrupt the island’s record-breaking tourism season, as unions demand enforcement of collective agreements at hotels that have failed to comply with wage standards.
The dispute affects approximately 10,000 workers out of 50,000 employed in the hospitality industry, with around one-third of hotels allegedly failing to honour collective agreements, according to union data.
Unions have warned they will launch strikes at specific hotels within days if July wage payments do not reflect collective agreement terms.
The General Secretary of the Public Entertainment Centres and Hotels Employees Union (SYXKA-PEO), Neofytos Timinis, told Phileleftheros that final decisions on strike action would be taken within hours, once July salaries are paid.
“We will know in a few hours,” Timinis said, adding that strikes would proceed immediately at hotels that fail to include collective agreement obligations in July wage payments.
Professional associations linked to the tourism sector have expressed concern about the timing, calling on unions to suspend strike announcements during a season that continues to break arrival records.
Several hoteliers and their professional association are reportedly pressuring non-compliant hotels to implement the collective agreements to avoid industrial action.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance issued a statement yesterday emphasising that maintaining stability in tourism sector labour relations is essential for realising the industry’s positive prospects during peak occupancy periods.
The ministry expressed confidence that “social partners will demonstrate responsibility and consistency”, adhering to collective agreements and respecting the Industrial Relations Code.
The Department of Labour Relations remains in continuous contact with both sides, mediating through successive meetings to resolve the disputes, with ministry positions receiving respect from both parties, according to the statement.
The threatened action comes as Cyprus tourism experiences exceptionally high performance, with the sector recording strong occupancy rates throughout the peak season.
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