Civil servants threaten strike over health care

CIVIL servants are threatening to go on strike if their access to free health care is abolished as part of the conditions of a bailout, it emerged yesterday.

PASYDY, their union, also wants a study and social dialogue on the new civil service timetables.

In an announcement, PASYDY said it would not accept abolition of the right to health care, which it considers, a vital conquest for every worker.

Unlike the rest of the population, civil servants and their families, have access to free health care, irrespective of income.

A memorandum agreed between Cyprus and international lenders calls for the abolition of the so-called right.

It envisages an increase in hospital charges and the introduction of fees for drugs and use of the casualty wards; only people earning less than a specific income would be entitled to free healthcare.

The government had been discussing the matter with PASYDY, before submitting a bill, but it seems that no common ground has been found yet.

PASYDY was also irked by the decision to extend public sector work hours in a bid to cut overtime pay.

Civil servants will start work 30 minutes later, at 8am, and work until 3.30pm, or 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Previously, civil servants worked between 7.30am and 2.30pm with the exception of Wednesday’s 3pm to 6pm.

The new regime has a transitional period from January 1 until the end of August 2013, during which government workers can start work at 7.30am or 8.30am and leave at 3pm or 4pm.

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