Turkish Cypriot Teachers in South Cyprus Protest Delayed Salaries and Discriminatory Practices

According to the informations obtain by Kıbrıs Postası, teachers have reported that their salaries are consistently paid late, and they have yet to receive their 13th salary for the year. Many Turkish Cypriot educators who previously worked as permanent teachers are now employed under “service contracts,” a situation that has resulted in significant loss of rights. Teachers highlighted that the benefits they had when they were in permanent positions have gradually been taken away, leaving them with weaker social security and working without job security as their contracts are renewed annually. They stated, "We have been striving for years to provide the best education to our students, but our status has been deliberately weakened. We now work without security, and our rights are being gradually eroded."

Barriers to Participating in the "Peace March": "Fascist Attitudes Encountered"

Teachers also recounted that although they were invited to participate in the recent "Peace March," their participation was blocked by the Greek Cypriot teachers' union OELMEK. They claimed that the authorities who did not want them involved refused to allow them onto buses for the event. Teachers described this treatment as “marginalizing and fascist,” highlighting the exclusion they faced even in educational settings.

"They specifically invited us, saying we would act together. But when we boarded the buses, we were openly blocked. We were told 'this event is not for you,'” said the teachers, stressing that experiencing discrimination in the field of education was unacceptable.

KTOEÖS Remains Silent: "We Receive No Support from Our Own Union"

The teachers also criticized the Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers Union (KTOEÖS) for its silence on the matter and for not providing sufficient support. “Our own union does not defend us. They are turning a blind eye to the violation of our rights. At least we expected them to make a statement, but nothing has been done,” said the educators, calling out the union's indifference.

Some teachers suggested that KTOEÖS's lack of involvement might be due to the union’s concerns about its relations with the Greek Cypriot side. "The union seems to prioritize maintaining good relations instead of protecting our rights. But this means they are turning a blind eye to the violation of our rights," they added, urging the union leadership to become more active.

"We Are Marginalized and Left Alone"

Turkish Cypriot teachers in South Cyprus stated that they are increasingly marginalized and left alone. They reported delays in receiving their salaries, diminishing social rights, and experiencing discriminatory practices by Greek Cypriot officials in their professional lives. The teachers are now calling for concrete action.

"As Turkish Cypriot teachers, we are being excluded by the Greek Cypriot administration and abandoned by our own union. We are working here, but we are not being compensated for our efforts. The authorities must no longer remain indifferent to this situation," said the teachers, emphasizing that the issue should be raised by both Turkish Cypriot officials and international educational organizations.

Demands for Action

The teachers outlined their demands as follows:

• Timely payment of salaries,
• Full payment of the 13th salary,
• Job security for their teaching status,
• Trade unions to actively advocate for their rights,
• International organizations to intervene to end discrimination in education.

The problems faced by Turkish Cypriot teachers highlight the divided nature of education in Cyprus, and the teachers have made it clear that they will closely monitor any steps taken to resolve the issue.