The submission of pension reform bills has been postponed to 2026 due to the recent change in the Ministry of Labour and the urgent need to finalise the minimum wage, Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas told the Cyprus News Agency.
Former Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou had previously indicated before the Parliamentary Finance Committee that pension reform consultations were in their final stages, with a goal of submitting the bills by the end of 2025 so that they could be passed before the parliamentary term concluded.
“Due to the change in office, there is a grace period for a new minister to become fully informed, allowing us to achieve the best possible outcome,” Mousiouttas said. He added that his briefing began with the minimum wage issue and that he would meet officials and the actuary within the week to review the pension reform plans.
He emphasised that no bills would be submitted by the end of the year, as internal briefings had only just begun. “There are various aspects of the issue that require time for presentation and discussion. Internal discussions will be followed by consultations with the Labour Advisory Body and other social partners,” he explained.
Mousiouttas noted that while the end-of-2025 milestone has passed, pension reform remains a priority, with discussions expected to advance significantly in 2026 before submission to the House of Representatives.
Minimum Wage Top Priority
The new minister said that addressing the minimum wage is his immediate priority. “I recently took over the portfolio and have received an initial briefing from officials. I was informed that social partners submitted their recommendations separately to the Technical Committee, which will convene shortly to provide its advice to the Ministry,” he said.
Mousiouttas stressed that he is awaiting these recommendations to form a comprehensive understanding of areas of agreement and divergence. He has scheduled meetings this week with the PEO, SEK, DEOK, OEB, and KEVE, while maintaining an open line of communication with all stakeholders.
Regarding estimates previously mentioned by the former minister that the minimum wage could reach €1,125 based on median salary calculations and cost-of-living adjustments, Mousiouttas said it was too early to comment on any specific figure until he had reviewed all proposals.
Other Labour Priorities
The minister also highlighted plans to improve the processing times of social security benefits, many of which are being digitised to reduce delays. He is committed to enhancing communication and public service, ensuring that citizens contacting the 1450 helpline receive accurate guidance.
Another focus is addressing labour shortages and the employment of foreign workers. Mousiouttas indicated that the Ministry will identify gaps in specific professions and seek solutions in collaboration with social partners, while ensuring that contractual agreements are respected and workers are not exploited.
“Our aim is to maintain labour peace, ensure compliance with contracts, and, where possible, improve living standards, in partnership with employers, unions, and organised bodies,” the minister concluded.