Cyprus Beaches to Go Unstaffed as 11,000 Hourly Workers Strike

On Thursday, beaches across Cyprus will be left without lifeguard coverage as 11,000 hourly‑paid government workers and staff from state health services and school boards stage a 24‑hour strike. The interior ministry warned that all districts will be affected and urged the public to exercise particular caution when swimming or engaging in sea activities. The finance ministry said the unions’ demand for a general eight‑per‑cent pay increase would cost €50 million over the three‑year collective agreement and €23 million annually from 2027, with the general increase alone potentially costing more than €300 million a year if applied across the public sector. The strike follows failed negotiations and the government’s refusal to grant salary increases outside established procedures. The government expressed regret and highlighted that only 68 of the 6,500 hourly‑paid workers currently receive the minimum wage, noting a median salary of €2,113.