President Nikos Christodoulides expressed the opinion that in the near future the “independent, responsible and constructive role” traditionally played by SEK trade union, will be confirmed, in view of the planned reforms and labour changes provided for in his administration programme, with a focus on strengthening the adequacy of wages, the better regulation of work, the creation of full employment conditions and the improvement of the pension system.

In an address, delivered on Tuesday evening by the Minister of Labour Yiannis Panayiotou, at the celebratory event for the 80th anniversary since the establishment of the trade union, the President of the Republic said that today our country is a beacon of stability in the region of the south-eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, is at the hard core of Europe, as a full member of the EU and the Eurozone, and is a reliable partner of the United States, with upgraded outlooks in the context of the Strategic Dialogue recently concluded between the two countries.

He said that Cyprus and SEK have walked together in the previous decades and the joint path will continue so that through tripartite social cooperation, Cyprus and its economy continue to strengthen and develop.

He praised SEK’s struggles saying that the trade union has always been consistent with its principles, firmly supporting the European values of freedom, equality and justice, for the state, the economy and society in general.

The President said that his mandate is to implement a human-centered policy, and to this end the government implements its policies taking into consideration the needs of society and the potential of the economy.

In the speech the President referred to what has been achieved so far, namely the COLA agreement renewal, the bill for work from home, the increase of the minimum wages of the hotel industry, the increase of the national minimum wage, the increase of penalties for undeclared work, the timely payment of Social Insurance Fund benefits and the increase of maternity leave by one month, among others.

He also said that the government is in mediation for the renewal of existing and the conclusion of new collective agreements in the construction and hotel industry, where the mediation proposals foresee a long-term duration until the end of 2027, restoration of previous cuts, cumulative increases beyond 7% and additional work benefits.