Turkish Cypriot unions challenge public sector pay decree in court

On Tuesday, the ruling coalition in the north issued a decree to suspend the cost-of-living allowance for public sector workers until next year. This action followed the failure to pass a legislative bill on the same matter after a marathon session that lasted from Monday afternoon until Tuesday morning. In response to the decree, Turkish Cypriot trade unions and the opposition party CTP filed a petition at the constitutional court on Thursday to annul the decision. The legislative process was marked by a general strike on Monday, during which thousands protested outside the legislature and faced police intervention. Following the adjournment of the parliament session early Tuesday, unions initially canceled planned protests, only to resume their opposition after the cabinet issued the decree unilaterally. Labour Minister Oguzhan Hasipoglu defended the decree as a necessary time-saving measure, while union leader Metin Altan condemned the move as a betrayal of public sector workers. The government claims the move was essential for fiscal management, whereas the opposition argues the action bypasses democratic legislative oversight.