PEO General Secretary Advocates for Improved Real Wages and Deeper Social Policies
At the forefront of the 10th Pan-Cypriot Conference of SIDIKEK PEO, Sotiroulla Charalambous, the General Secretary of PEO, highlighted the organization’s commitment to negotiating better terms in Collective Employment Agreements, with a focus on enhancing real wages, especially for those entering the workforce. Despite the Cypriot economy’s robust growth, Charalambous noted that “social inequalities remain entrenched, and income distribution continues to be skewed against workers,” exacerbated by persistent inflation and soaring interest rates.
Charalambous expressed concern over the prolonged economic pressures facing households, stating that “although inflation is on a downward trend, high prices and interest rates continue to strain family budgets.” In her critique, she condemned the government’s approach to social policy as short-sighted, accusing it of adhering to a policy of one-off grants that resemble “state philanthropy” rather than implementing sustainable solutions.
The General Secretary was particularly vocal about the government’s reluctance to address
- Revising income criteria for child and single-parent allowances, along with student grants.
- Expanding parental leave and allowances up to a child’s 15th year.
- Developing comprehensive care infrastructure through state and local initiatives.
- Extending all-day schooling to primary and secondary levels.
- Increase in housing programmes and rental subsidies based on socio-economic needs.
- Raising the Minimum Guaranteed Income.
- Addressing the 12% retirement penalty at age 63 and enhancing Social Security Fund returns for equitable pensions.
O Secretário-Geral da PEO sublinhou que a prioridade da organização é procurar obter aumentos nos Acordos Colectivos de Trabalho para melhorar os salários reais, com especial incidência nos salários iniciais. This focus on real wages is seen as a critical step towards mitigating income inequality and fostering a fairer distribution of wealth amidst challenging economic conditions.
