Two new billionaires headline a starting XI that collectively earned an estimated $950 million over the 12 months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This year’s tournament will be marked by a series of firsts. For the first time in its 96-year history, the FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams. It will also be the first edition hosted by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, and staged across a record 16 cities.

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Another milestone will come on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo, who will captain Portugal at 41, and Lionel Messi, leading defending champions Argentina at 38, will become the first billionaire players to compete at a World Cup.

Attending the tournament may also become a milestone of its own. With ticket prices reaching unprecedented levels, the World Cup is increasingly becoming a luxury experience. FIFA recently listed a ticket for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for $32,970, three times the price offered in April and more than 20 times the price of an equivalent ticket for the 2022 final in Qatar. Resale prices have climbed even higher, with FIFA’s own platform at one point listing four final tickets at nearly $2.3 million each.

Here are the 11 highest-paid players competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The World’s Highest-Paid World Cup Players

1. Cristiano Ronaldo — $300 Million

Nationality: Portugal | Age: 41 | On-field: $235 million | Off-field: $65 million

Ronaldo remains football’s highest-paid player and the world’s highest-paid athlete across all sports. His estimated $300 million in earnings over the past year matches Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the largest annual income Forbes has ever recorded for an athlete, excluding inflation.

Forbes estimates Ronaldo’s net worth at $1.2 billion, making him one of only a handful of active billionaire athletes. He will compete in a record sixth World Cup while still chasing the only major title missing from his career. Confidence is also high after helping Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League last month, his first league title since joining the club in 2023.

2. Lionel Messi — $140 Million

Nationality: Argentina | Age: 38 | On-field: $70 million | Off-field: $70 million

Like Ronaldo, Messi has joined Forbes’ billionaire ranks, with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion. He is also preparing for a record sixth World Cup as Argentina attempts to defend the title it won in 2022.

Individual history is also within reach. Four goals would see Messi overtake Miroslav Klose to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

Away from the pitch, his commercial appeal remains as strong as ever. Messi appears in new campaigns for Adidas alongside Bad Bunny and Timothée Chalamet, as well as for Michelob Ultra with Christian Pulisic and Billy Bob Thornton. Lowe’s has also launched a 10-foot inflatable Messi for $99.

3. Kylian Mbappé — $95 Million

Nationality: France | Age: 27 | On-field: $70 million | Off-field: $25 million

Mbappé has played in three fewer World Cups than Messi but trails him by just one goal on the tournament’s all-time scoring list. That finishing ability also helped him become Real Madrid’s top scorer in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League campaign.

Having won the World Cup with France at 19 before reaching another final four years later, Mbappé remains one of football’s most marketable stars. Ahead of this summer’s tournament, he signed a partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and joined health insurer Alan as both an ambassador and investor.

4. Erling Haaland — $80 Million

Nationality: Norway | Age: 25 | On-field: $60 million | Off-field: $20 million

Haaland signed a long-term contract extension with Manchester City last year, but speculation about his future has continued. Most recently, renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme said he would try to sign the striker if elected Real Madrid president, prompting a legal response from City.

Attention now turns to the World Cup, where Norway will make its first appearance since 1998, two years before Haaland was born. Despite the expectations, he appears comfortable with the spotlight. As he recently told GQ, “It’s a lot of pressure on me, but I like the pressure.”

5. Vinicius Jr. — $60 Million

Nationality: Brazil | Age: 25 | On-field: $40 million | Off-field: $20 million

Vinicius has taken a realistic view of Brazil’s chances. Speaking to creator Ibai Llanos in February, he said Argentina, Portugal, Spain and France were ahead of Brazil, a view he repeated in March by saying the five-time champions should not be considered tournament favourites.

Brazil nevertheless enters the World Cup aiming to end a 24-year wait for another title. Off the field, Vinicius could soon add another commercial partnership after fans spotted what appeared to be a Fortnite skin inspired by the Real Madrid forward in a recent Nike advertisement, although no collaboration has been officially announced.

6. Mohamed Salah — $55 Million

Nationality: Egypt | Age: 33 | On-field: $35 million | Off-field: $20 million

After nine seasons, 257 goals and two Premier League titles, Salah is set to leave Liverpool. In March, he agreed to terminate his contract a year early, paving the way for a free transfer this summer.

The “Egyptian King” will now lead Egypt into its fourth World Cup appearance. Although the Pharaohs have won a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, they have never claimed a victory at the World Cup. That could change in Group G, where Egypt will face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand.

7. Sadio Mané — $54 Million

Nationality: Senegal | Age: 34 | On-field: $50 million | Off-field: $4 million

Mané has lifted two major trophies this year, although only one remains official. Before winning the Saudi Pro League alongside Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, he helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations in January. The title was later revoked after players walked off during the final in protest over a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco.

Returning to the World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament through injury, Mané could help Senegal reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years. A strong campaign would also come at an important time as his Al-Nassr contract approaches its expiration.

8. Jude Bellingham — $44 Million

Nationality: England | Age: 22 | On-field: $29 million | Off-field: $15 million

Bellingham is one of three Real Madrid players featured in this ranking, alongside Mbappé and Vinicius. Although only 22, he played a key role for England at the 2022 World Cup, becoming the country’s second-youngest scorer in tournament history and adding an assist in the round of 16.

That performance helped secure a transfer worth more than $100 million from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. Even so, England manager Thomas Tuchel said this week that Bellingham will have to compete for playing time in a squad featuring “14 or 15 potential starters.”

9. Lamine Yamal — $43 Million

Nationality: Spain | Age: 18 | On-field: $33 million | Off-field: $10 million

Yamal missed the closing stages of Barcelona’s La Liga title-winning season with a hamstring injury but has since returned to training with Spain. Barcelona has reportedly placed restrictions on his involvement during the World Cup.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Yamal could be limited to 15 minutes as a substitute in Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde and up to 60 minutes against Saudi Arabia. Even with those limitations, the teenager remains one of the tournament’s biggest commercial stars, appearing in World Cup campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Powerade and Visa after signing with American Eagle in January.

10. Harry Kane — $41 Million

Nationality: England | Age: 32 | On-field: $29 million | Off-field: $12 million

Kane is the only Bundesliga player in this ranking, representing Bayern Munich. He also remains England’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals in 113 international appearances.

England’s captain will be looking to build on the team’s runner-up finish at UEFA Euro 2024, where he shared the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer. His form has already carried into this year after scoring in England’s World Cup warm-up victory over New Zealand, taking his 2026 tally to 32 goals for club and country, 14 more than any other player in the world, according to ESPN.

11. Neymar — $38 Million

Nationality: Brazil | Age: 34 | On-field: $10 million | Off-field: $28 million

Neymar continues to recover from a calf injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s World Cup warm-up matches. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he will need to compete with Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha for playing time once he returns to full fitness.

Brazil has nevertheless handed Neymar the iconic No. 10 shirt for this summer’s tournament, making him the first Brazilian to wear the number at four World Cups. Legends including Pelé, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaká have previously worn the jersey.

Methodology

Forbes’ ranking measures earnings over the 12 months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All figures are converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates as of May and rounded to the nearest $1 million.

On-field earnings include salaries, bonuses and, where applicable, club-based image rights agreements during the 2025–26 season. Because Lionel Messi’s MLS contract follows a calendar-year schedule, his on-field estimate reflects the previous 12 months.

Off-field earnings include cash income from endorsements, licensing, appearances, memorabilia and returns from businesses in which the athlete holds a significant stake. For some players, including Messi and Ronaldo, subsidies from club or league sponsors are included in the on-field estimate.

Estimates are based on news reports, public databases such as Capology.com and information provided by industry sources, many of whom requested anonymity. Forbes also acknowledges soccer correspondent Tancredi Palmeri, DODICI Sports Management’s Mariano Trasande and Xeric Sports Management’s Shea Richard Soma.

Investment income, including interest and dividends, is excluded, while proceeds from the sale of equity stakes are included. Taxes, agents’ fees and transfer fees are not reflected in the estimates.

Hotel bookings in Cyprus are showing signs of recovery after months of disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East. However, the island’s tourism industry is still facing an average loss of about 20 per cent for the remainder of the season, according to the president of the hotel managers association.

Booking Momentum Returns, But Losses Persist

Christos Angelides said the wave of cancellations recorded over the past two to three months has eased, with bookings improving both in the short term and for the remainder of the season.

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Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, he said demand has yet to recover sufficiently to offset earlier losses or deliver what would normally be considered a strong year for the tourism sector.

Hotels Adjust Pricing To Support Demand

Hotels and other tourism businesses are responding with more competitive pricing and targeted promotional campaigns, including offers aimed at the domestic market. Angelides noted that airfares and accommodation prices in competing destinations have also increased.

“Destinations which were previously considered cheaper than us no longer are,” he said. At the same time, he expects more Cypriots to weigh household budgets before choosing to travel abroad.

Airlines And Israeli Tourism Show Early Signs Of Recovery

Asked about flight cancellations and route adjustments, Angelides said airlines have reduced some services because of higher aviation fuel costs. He expressed hope that easing regional tensions would lower fuel prices and airfares, supporting a stronger autumn and potentially winter season.

Visitor numbers from Israel have also started to recover after falling to almost zero for roughly two to three months. Angelides said daily arrivals are increasing and that even short stays of two or three days would provide meaningful support to the tourism industry. Last-minute bookings, he added, are already helping to strengthen demand and could continue to support the sector through the rest of the season.

Protecting Cyprus’ Tourism Reputation

Despite weaker occupancy rates, Angelides said maintaining service quality remains essential. He identified two immediate priorities for the sector: recovering from the decline in hotel occupancy recorded in March, April and May, and safeguarding Cyprus’ reputation as “a quality and pleasant destination” built over many years.

Angelides also called for a sustained promotional campaign through the end of 2027 to help restore momentum in international markets and dispel any remaining concerns about Cyprus as a safe destination.

A cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover that disrupted production for months is now being linked to Russian hackers, according to a report by The New York Times citing people familiar with the investigation. The breach is estimated to have cost the British economy $2.5 billion and prompted the U.K. government to back a £1.5 billion loan guarantee for the automaker.

Pressure On A Strategic National Asset

Jaguar Land Rover is one of the United Kingdom’s largest manufacturers and employers. The cyberattack disrupted production for months, affecting the company’s operations and wider supply chain.

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New Reporting Points To Russian Actors

For months, the identity of the attackers remained unknown. People familiar with the investigation told The New York Times that the hackers behind the breach were Russian. Whether they acted on behalf of the Russian government, operated independently or worked with tacit state support remains unclear.

An Investigation Involving Multiple Agencies

Microsoft identified the Russian hacking group and alerted Jaguar Land Rover, The New York Times reported. Authorities and cybersecurity firms involved in the investigation included the FBI, the U.K.’s National Crime Agency, the National Cyber Security Centre, Google’s Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks.

A Second Intruder Complicates The Investigation

The report also said a Jordanian hacker known as Rey gained access to parts of Jaguar Land Rover’s network, adding another layer to the investigation into the breach.

General Atlantic has appointed tennis icon Novak Djokovic as a global strategic advisor, bringing one of the most accomplished athletes in modern sport into its leadership circle as the firm expands its focus on wellness, innovation and sports-related investing.

Why Djokovic Fits The Mandate

According to a General Atlantic press release, Djokovic will work closely with the firm’s leadership, portfolio companies and investors, contributing perspectives on leadership, resilience and innovation. For a private equity and growth equity platform built on identifying durable long-term trends, the move is as symbolic as it is strategic.

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The announcement arrives just days before Djokovic is due to compete at Wimbledon, where he is pursuing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. The timing underscores the duality of Djokovic’s brand: still an elite competitor on the court, while increasingly active as an investor and operator off it.

A Growing Portfolio In Health And Wellness

Djokovic’s interests already extend well beyond tennis. He has backed a range of wellness-focused businesses, including Waterdrop, co-founded the supplement company SILA in 2024, and later helped launch the clean snack brand Cob Foods in 2025. He has also supported the wearables company Incrediwear.

That track record gives General Atlantic a credible entry point into the health and wellness economy, one of the most resilient consumer themes in private markets. As Bloomberg reported, the firm aims to leverage Djokovic’s network to broaden its reach in the sector.

Private Equity’s Growing Interest In Sport

General Atlantic is also expanding its presence in sports investing. Over the past two years, the firm has acquired stakes in a football club, a sports stadium and a sports media agency, reflecting broader interest from private capital in sports, entertainment and related infrastructure.

Tennis has also attracted growing investor attention, with General Atlantic becoming one of the latest firms to expand into the sector.

Speaking to Bloomberg, General Atlantic Chief Executive Bill Ford said Djokovic has “strong views about how professional tennis can be reshaped,” adding that “there’ll be opportunities there.”

President Donald Trump on Friday warned that countries imposing digital services taxes on U.S. companies could face tariffs of up to 100% on their exports to the United States.

A Direct Warning To Trade Partners

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the tariff would “supersede Trade Deals made with the Country, whether implemented, signed, or not.”

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He also said the measures would be “immediately imposed” if governments proceed with plans to introduce digital services taxes.

Why Digital Taxes Have Become A Flashpoint

Digital services taxes are intended to tax revenue generated by large online platforms, many of which are U.S.-based companies such as Meta, Alphabet and Amazon.

Supporters argue the measures ensure multinational technology companies pay taxes where they generate revenue. Washington, however, has long argued that such taxes disproportionately target American firms.

Trump has repeatedly threatened retaliation against countries adopting digital services taxes. Last year, he warned Canada that it would end trade negotiations if Ottawa introduced its proposed digital levy. Canada later withdrew the measure before it took effect.

Europe Is In The Crosshairs

More than a dozen countries have already introduced digital services taxes, according to the Tax Foundation. In Friday’s post, Trump singled out “Numerous European Countries” that he said are considering similar measures.

That puts the issue squarely at the intersection of tax policy, trade policy and geopolitical leverage. For global businesses, the risk is not just higher costs, but the possibility that tariff retaliation could spill into broader commercial relationships.

Legal Authority Remains Unclear

Questions remain over the legal authority the administration could use to impose immediate country-specific tariffs on this scale. Earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize the administration’s reciprocal tariffs.

Hours after that decision, Trump announced an executive order imposing a new global 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. That provision allows tariffs to remain in place for up to 150 days unless Congress approves an extension.

The U.S. government has authorized Anthropic to provide its Mythos 5 model to a limited group of around 100 companies and federal agencies, easing restrictions imposed earlier this month on the company’s most advanced AI systems.

Commerce Department Eases Restrictions On Mythos 5

According to a letter seen by CNBC, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said “appropriate safeguards are in place” to allow selected trusted partners to access Claude Mythos 5.

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The decision follows two weeks of discussions between Anthropic and the Trump administration over access to the company’s latest models, Mythos 5 and Fable 5.

For now, the authorization applies only to Mythos 5. Restrictions on Fable 5 remain in place.

A Narrow Opening, Not A Full Reversal

Addressed to Anthropic co-founder Tom Brown, the letter follows reports that he has led discussions with the White House after CEO Dario Amodei stepped back from direct negotiations.

Earlier this month, Anthropic suspended access to both models after receiving an export-control directive requiring the company to block access for all foreign nationals, including its own employees, regardless of whether they were inside or outside the United States.

Those restrictions came shortly after Anthropic introduced the two models. At launch, the company described them as state-of-the-art across multiple industry benchmarks, with Fable 5 including additional safeguards for high-risk applications.

OpenAI Moves Faster On Broader Rollout

On the same day, OpenAI introduced three new AI models, saying access would initially be limited to a small group of trusted partners in line with a request from the U.S. government.

The company said it plans to make GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra and Luna more broadly available in the coming weeks and confirmed that government officials had been briefed on the models before their release.

Anthropic’s Tense Relationship With Washington

Relations between Anthropic and the Trump administration have become increasingly strained this year.

Earlier, the Department of Defense designated the company a supply chain risk following disagreements over the use of its AI models, preventing certain defense contractors from using Claude models in military-related work.

Anthropic is challenging that designation in court, and the case remains ongoing.

A majority of U.S. consumers now say they would prefer to buy a home rather than rent or live with family, according to Bank of America’s latest Homebuyer Insights Report.

The survey marks the first time since 2023 that more respondents have favored homeownership than renting or living with family, despite continued affordability challenges.

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Sentiment Improves Even As Affordability Pressures Persist

Overall, 53% of respondents said they would rather buy a home, while 47% preferred renting or living with family. Gen Z and millennial respondents were among the strongest supporters of homeownership, according to the survey.

At the same time, affordability remains a key consideration. Bank of America found that 71% of respondents are waiting for interest rates and home prices to decline before purchasing a home, down from 75% in 2025.

The survey also found that 22% of current homeowners expect to purchase another property within the next year, compared with 15% a year earlier.

Buyers Are Moving From Waiting To Acting

“Despite real and persistent challenges in the market, buyers and owners are increasingly optimistic, and many are starting to move forward rather than waiting on the sidelines,” said Matt Vernon, head of consumer lending at Bank of America, which can be found at Bank of America.

“We are seeing meaningful changes in attitudes toward homeownership.”

Still, affordability remains the central barrier for would-be buyers. High home prices and elevated interest rates continue to rank among consumers’ top concerns, underscoring the gap between aspiration and execution in today’s housing market.

AI Is Entering The Homebuying Process

The survey also highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence during the homebuying process. One in five prospective buyers and current homeowners said they had used AI tools or chatbots over the past year to estimate costs, evaluate neighbourhoods and monitor housing market trends.

The Homebuyer Insights Report is based on a survey conducted by Sparks Research on behalf of Bank of America between April and May, covering 1,000 homeowners and 1,000 renters.

Inflation Expectations Retreat In May

Consumers across the euro area lowered their short-term inflation expectations in May, according to the European Central Bank’s latest Consumer Expectations Survey.

Expected inflation over the next 12 months fell to 3.5% from 4.0% in April, while perceived inflation over the previous 12 months remained unchanged at 4.0%.

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Long-Term Outlook Holds Steady

Longer-term inflation expectations were unchanged. Consumers continued to expect inflation of 2.9% three years ahead and 2.4% over a five-year horizon.

The ECB also reported a decline in uncertainty about inflation over the coming year, although it remained above levels recorded before the conflict in the Middle East.

Income Gaps Continue To Shape Sentiment

The survey showed notable differences across income groups. Lower-income households reported higher perceptions of past inflation and higher expectations for future inflation than higher-income respondents.

Age differences were also evident. Consumers aged 18 to 34 reported lower inflation perceptions and expectations than those aged between 35 and 70.

Household Finances Show Mixed Signals

Expected nominal income growth over the next 12 months increased to 1.0% from 0.8% in April. At the same time, expected spending growth eased to 3.8% from 4.3%, while expectations for economic growth improved to -1.7% from -2.2%. Although households continued to expect the economy to contract, the latest reading indicates a less negative outlook than a month earlier.

Labour Market Views Remain Broadly Stable

Consumers expected the unemployment rate 12 months ahead to reach 11.3%, up slightly from 11.2% in April. Expectations differed across income groups, with lower-income households forecasting unemployment of 13.7%, compared with 9.5% among higher-income respondents.

The expected unemployment rate remained only slightly above the perceived current rate of 10.7%.

Housing And Credit Conditions Stay Tight

Consumers expect house prices to increase by 3.6% over the next year, compared with 3.7% in April. Expectations for mortgage interest rates were unchanged at 4.9% for the third consecutive month.

Lower-income households continued to expect higher mortgage rates than higher-income households, at 5.6% and 4.4% respectively.

The survey also showed that the net share of households reporting tighter access to credit over the previous 12 months reached its highest level since February 2024. At the same time, fewer respondents expected credit conditions to tighten further over the coming year.

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

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Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

Hourly-paid government employees in Cyprus staged the first 24-hour strike of its kind on Wednesday, marching from the Ministry of Finance to the Presidential Palace as they demanded higher wages and the renewal of their collective agreement.

Protesters gathered outside the Ministry of Finance before marching to the Presidential Palace, chanting slogans including “No to starvation wages” and “Enough of the mockery, we are not second-class workers.” Union representatives later delivered a memorandum to the President of the Republic, calling for his intervention in negotiations with the finance ministry.

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According to the unions, hourly-paid government employees have received total wage increases of just 1.5% over the past 17 years.

A Broad Cross-Section Of The Public Sector Walks Out

The strike brought together workers from across the hourly government workforce, including skilled technicians, conservators of antiquities, builders, engine operators, road transport inspectors, cleaning staff, health services personnel, forest firefighters, firefighters and lifeguards.

Giorgos Constantinou, secretary-general of OEKDY SEK, said in a speech outside the Presidential Palace that this was the first time in the history of the Republic of Cyprus that hourly government staff had launched a 24-hour strike. “We are demanding wage increases,” he said, adding that it is “unacceptable” for the government to treat hourly staff unfavorably despite the essential work they perform in keeping the state machinery running.

Stavros Andreou, secretary-general of PASYEK-PEO, said the workers were demanding to be heard. “We are not beggars and we are not asking anyone for charity. We are asking the state to adopt policies that allow workers to live with dignity,” he said, noting that hourly government employees are paid at minimum-wage levels. He added that 30% of hourly government workers earn up to €1,500 a month.

Andreas Antoniou, secretary-general of DEE KDOKO DEOK, said hourly employees are low-paid and cannot keep pace with the demands of the modern economy. He noted that the overall increase since 2009 has been just 1.5%, despite Cyprus posting one of the strongest growth rates in Europe, and argued that wages should rise accordingly.

Their Case Before The President

In the memorandum submitted to the President of the Republic through government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the workers asked for his intervention. “We address you with the expectation that you will intervene immediately so that an agreement can be reached for the renewal of the collective agreement for hourly government staff and wages can improve,” the document said.

The memorandum further argues that hourly government workers are paid significantly less than employees in comparable private-sector roles working the same number of hours per week.

It also states that, although the total public service payroll has increased, the cost of the hourly government workforce has declined and is now well below even its 2011 level. According to the unions, requests for wage increases have been on the table since April of last year.

Warnings Of A Broader Escalation

After the memorandum was delivered, Andreou said the government spokesman had committed to relaying the unions’ position to the president and the finance minister. The workers and unions, he said, would allow the government time to review the document before deciding their next move.

“If we do not receive a positive response, if the President of the Republic does not open the door to dialogue through his intervention, we will discuss among ourselves and respond in the coming period more dynamically, more massively and with different, perhaps more forceful, methods,” he said.

Constantinou said the unions had explained to the government spokesman the importance of hourly government staff to the functioning of the state. He said they had been assured that the President would be informed and that the Ministry of Finance would also be briefed, expressing hope that an agreement enabling pay increases could be reached in the coming days.

Antoniou added that the unions had explained to the spokesman that most hourly workers earn wages that “barely allow them to get by.” He said they hoped the message would reach the President so that, through his intervention, the finance ministry would enter into meaningful dialogue aimed at a swift agreement.

Workers Describe Strain On Household Budgets

Speaking to journalists, a health-sector employee said the workers are asking for the wage increases that have been delayed for years, as well as respect and dignity. Another health worker, who said she has been employed for a decade, reported a monthly salary of €1,000 and questioned how anyone can live with dignity on that income when monthly expenses are higher.

A district administration employee with 40 years of service said his salary had not risen above €2,000, describing it as a “starvation wage.” Another worker with 33 years of service said he could still not afford necessities.

A lifeguard said lifeguards are among the most disadvantaged hourly employees because they work on six-month contracts and receive no provident fund or other benefits. “The state should give us the basic rights every worker has so that young people will continue to see a future in the profession,” he said, adding that six-month contracts drive people away into other jobs.

Government Says Talks Will Continue

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said discussions would continue, noting that the finance ministry had viewed some of the unions’ requests positively during a meeting held the previous day. After receiving the memorandum, he said it would be forwarded to the President.

Letymbiotis also highlighted measures introduced by the government over the past three years, including wage progression under scale A2.5.7, the full restoration of the cost-of-living allowance, the recent tax reform and the 1.5% across-the-board increase for public-sector employees.

Responding to comments by Finance Minister Makis Keravnos that the demands could exceed €50 million, Letymbiotis said one wage-related request alone would cost around €30 million over three years.

“These are not insignificant amounts,” he said. “They are substantial sums that must be considered in relation to the rest of the public sector, to salary levels and to the state’s fiscal capacity.”