Soumeli, Eva

Increased industrial action, demands for the restitution of lost trade union rights, a new agreement in the hotel sector and changes to fixed-term contracts are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Cyprus in the first quarter of 2016.

In February 2016, drivers of Larnaca and Limassol's public buses staged industrial action in protest at company failures to reinstate previous pay levels. After governmental intervention, industrial action was called off.

The number of public sector employees dropped by 1.1% to 48,038 between September 2014 and September 2015, according to data released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT) in October 2015. This drop represen...

In August 2015, legal amendments came into force allowing more people in Cyprus to receive a minimum guaranteed income. The government estimates the move will cost €11 million. Approximately 20,000 households had been approved for GMI benefit by November 2015, two months before the application deadline.

In response to increasing industrial action in the public sector, the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation has filed draft legislation to declare specific services 'essential' in order to prevent or prohibit a strike that may harm the public interest.

Although Cypriot legislation prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace, there is evidence that sexual harassment at work is a widespread problem, with most incidents not reported to the authorities. Research has revealed that sexual harassment affects mainly female employees, while the most vulnerable group among women is domestic workers, especially immigrants.

In Cyprus, a draft bill to establish a guaranteed minimum income (GMI) benefit was voted on by the House of Representatives in July 2014. The GMI is seen as the cornerstone of current reform of the social security system, simplifying benefits and giving assistance to those most in need.

The Government of Cyprus has been attempting to tackle steadily increasing unemployment. There are three basic prongs to its policy: supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting employment in selected sectors of the economy, and addressing youth unemployment. However, unions have criticised the measures since they were announced in February 2014, saying they are inadequate and that the money would be better spent improving the state of the economy.

As part of the reorganisation and modernisation of the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CyTA [1]) and with the immediate objective of reducing its operating costs, CyTA announced a voluntary early retirement scheme in December 2013. It aims to cut staff by between 550 and 600 and is expected to save €366.4 million in wage costs between now and 2015. However, the cost of implementing the scheme, including pension costs, is estimated to be €102.9 million. [1] https://www.cyta.com.cy/personal/en

On 11 October 2013, the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance (MLSI [1]), Zeta Aimilianidou, announced the renewal of decrees on shop opening hours in tourist areas. [1] http://www.mlsi.gov.cy/