Group of teachers demands to work until 63

THE FINANCE Ministry yesterday confirmed it had no intention of trying to convince secondary school teachers to go back and accept a government proposal to raise the retirement age from 60 to 63 after they rejected it earlier this month.

The confirmation was made following reports a group of teachers, who had been in favour of raising the retirement age, had formed a movement called ‘Association 63’ and were demanding they be allowed to continue to work despite their colleagues’ majority vote opposing the proposal.

Just under two weeks ago, teachers’ union OELMEK put a government proposal to raise the retirement age from 60 to 63 to a vote. Around 5,000 lyceum and technical schoolteachers cast their vote, with 60.07 per cent voting against.

A Finance Ministry representative said yesterday the teachers’ decision had been reached through a democratic procedure and was completely respected by the Ministry.

“The Ministry put forward a proposal in good faith, which was rejected by the majority of teachers. The Ministry has no intention of interfering in the decision taken by the teachers or to propose an alternative proposal.”

Nevertheless that will not stop those teachers who wish to continue working for an additional three years from claiming what they believe to be their legal right.
Andreas Angelides, who is legally representing individual teachers who do not wish to terminate their employment at 60, explained that teachers came under the umbrella of the civil service and so should be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment.

“Civil servants have voted in favour of the proposal to raise the retirement age from 60 to 63. Teachers are also civil servants, however the government decided to put the proposal to them separately. Although the teachers’ voted against the proposal, it is a matter of equality and, as civil servants, those teachers who wish to continue working till they are 63 should be allowed to as they are subject to the same terms and conditions as all civil servants.”

Angelides told the Cyprus Mail he had written a letter on behalf of his clients, which he had sent to the Cabinet. If the Cabinet’s response to the request that they be dealt with on an individual basis was negative, the lawyer said he would take the matter to court.

Asked whether he thought he could win if it got that far, Angelides said he would try.

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