Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has said that one of the government’s central objectives is implementing a major pension reform that will “substantially increase pensions, primarily for low‑income retirees,” according to remarks delivered at the 30th Pancyprian Congress of the Cyprus Workers Confederation (SEK).
Christodoulides said the reform, planned for 2026, will be the first significant overhaul of the system since 1980 and aims to ensure pension adequacy, revise the investment policy of the Social Insurance Fund and strengthen the system’s second pillar.
He told delegates that Cyprus’s strong economic performance — including low unemployment, fiscal surpluses and repeated credit‑rating upgrades — provides the foundation for advancing social policy priorities.
“The country’s economy is strong and resilient,” he said, adding that this allows the government to manage the impact of regional instability.
Christodoulides also emphasized cooperation with trade unions on issues such as the cost‑of‑living allowance, minimum wage adjustments, collective agreements and employment of third‑country nationals. He said social dialogue remains “an essential and integral part of decision‑making.”
The president noted that Cyprus’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 will prioritize social policy, including implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and progress on EU rules for adequate minimum wages.
He congratulated SEK leadership on the opening of its new four‑year term and said the government will remain “a reliable and sincere interlocutor” for workers and employers alike.