Doctors in Northern Cyprus hold 24-hour strike over labor conditions

Doctors working in public health facilities in the northern part of Cyprus launched a 24-hour strike today, following a decision by the TIP-IS union. The industrial action began at 07:45 and is scheduled to conclude at 15:30 in protest against the local health ministry's failure to meet labor demands. All routine medical services have been suspended during this period, though emergency cases, intensive care, inpatient treatments, dialysis, and chemotherapy continue to operate. The union reports that over 50% of public sector doctors are currently employed as contractors or under mandatory service without permanent civil servant status. Key demands include the conversion of temporary contracts into permanent positions and the improvement of leave policies and general working conditions. TIP-IS also advocates for strengthening public health funding instead of subsidizing private hospitals. A press conference was scheduled for 11:30 at the Oncology Center of the state hospital in Nicosia to address these grievances. This strike highlights ongoing tensions regarding the management of the healthcare system in the region.