Nurses and Midwives Union Refuses Overtime Work for Holidays
The Cyprus Turkish Nurses and Midwives Union (KTHES) has launched an “not working overtime” action in protest of “injustice among public employees”. This action comes after a 2-day warning strike and will continue throughout the four-day holiday.
KTHES President İbrahim Özgöçmen stated that they have decided not to work overtime during the holiday, although it is not mandatory for their members. He expressed his belief that their demand is justified, as public employees are given an administrative holiday on the eve of the day, but no such regulation has been made for nurses and midwives working in shifts.
Özgöçmen emphasized the 7-hour difference between the treatment of public employees and nurses/midwives, stating that every time this happens it is an offense. This led to their decision to go on a two-day warning strike. However, they have now allowed their members to have a holiday with the option to work overtime during the break.
Özgöçmen likened the previous treatment of nurses and midwives as having their watch stolen by government officials. He described the strike as a way of returning that watch and asserting their rights. As the holiday progresses, it remains to be seen how the action will impact public services and what response the authorities may have.
