Education unions request meeting with president regarding indefinite contract teachers

The three main education unions in Cyprus—POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK—have officially requested a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides. The request follows a recent parliamentary amendment that prohibits the termination of indefinite-contract teachers in cases of redundancy. The unions are seeking this consultation before their own joint meeting scheduled for May 11, 2026. During their planned gathering, the unions intend to assess the new legislation and determine their future actions. The unions argue that the amendment was necessary to resolve a long-standing structural imbalance and injustice. Specifically, they claim the change aligns the status of teachers with that of other public sector employees. They maintain that the previous situation had placed teachers at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the civil service. The presidential office has yet to confirm a date for the requested meeting.