Working in Cyprus - Labour Disputes & Strikes

The categories of disputes are recognised by the Code. Firstly, disputes about rights which arise from the interpretation or implementation of existing collective agreements. This category includes personal complaints stemming from the implementation of a collective agreement. Complaints of this sort are submitted for examination by the employer. 

Representatives of the unions and of employers’ organisations may take part in the discussion of the complaint. If the problem is not resolved through direct negotiations, it is forwarded to the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance for mediation. As a final resort there is binding arbitration.

Secondly, conflicts of interest which arise during the negotiation or renewal of collective agreements.

The dispute resolution procedure consists of the following stages:

• resolution by direct negotiation;
• mediation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Department of Labour Relations);
• if the dispute is still unresolved, referral to arbitration or to a public inquiry with the agreement of both parties.

A golden mean is usually found with the help of mediation by the Ministry. Strikes are not common.

• For more information contact the Department of Labour Relations (Tel: +357 22 451 500/1).

Text last edited on: 12/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.