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Cyprus Reviews Public Sector Reform And Working Conditions

by News Editor

August 4, 2026

The future of public sector reform, workplace conditions and the modernisation of government services were among the key issues discussed during a meeting on Tuesday between President Nikos Christodoulides, senior ministers and representatives of the civil servants’ union Pasydy.

The discussions brought together Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas and Pasydy officials to review several outstanding issues affecting public sector employees and the operation of government services.

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Focus On Reform And Modernisation

Rather than seeking salary increases, Pasydy said its priority is improving the efficiency and quality of the public service. The union is calling for reforms that support digital transformation, clarify the status of permanent employees and create a more modern public administration for both citizens and businesses.

Pasydy General Secretary Stratis Mattheou described the meeting as constructive, adding that discussions with the Ministry of Finance will continue as work on the proposed reforms moves forward.

Concerns Over Public Infrastructure

The union also highlighted the condition of some government buildings, particularly those housing social welfare services, arguing that parts of the public sector continue to operate in facilities that fall well below acceptable standards. Mattheou described some workplaces as resembling “third world” conditions.

While plans already exist to gradually replace or upgrade government buildings, he acknowledged that implementation will depend on future state budgets and cannot happen immediately.

Next Steps

A joint working group comprising representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Public Service Commission and Pasydy is expected to submit its recommendations on public sector reform to the president by the end of September.

Other outstanding issues discussed during the meeting are expected to be addressed before the end of the year, as consultations between the government and the union continue.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Retail’s AI Push Faces A Cybersecurity And Regulatory Reality Check

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

Artificial intelligence is becoming a strategic priority for retailers, with 80% of retail leaders planning to increase investment in the technology, according to EY’s latest CEO Outlook Survey. However, growing concerns over cybersecurity, customer privacy and regulation could complicate adoption across an industry already facing inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and changing consumer expectations.

Confidence In AI Comes With Risks

The survey found that 80% of retail leaders are confident in their ability to expand the responsible use of AI and customer data. Retailers are increasingly applying the technology to demand forecasting, inventory management, customer service and personalised marketing, seeking to improve efficiency and respond more quickly to market changes.

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Yet adoption brings new vulnerabilities. EY found that 24% of retail leaders identified cybersecurity and data privacy as a leading business risk for the year ahead. Retailers manage sensitive customer information, payment systems and complex supply chains, making effective security and governance essential as AI becomes more deeply embedded in their operations.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 highlights the wider challenge: 87% of organisations reported rising cyber risks linked to AI vulnerabilities, while 94% expected malicious AI to have a significant impact on cybersecurity in 2026.

Regulation Will Shape AI Adoption

Regulatory frameworks are also influencing how quickly retailers can expand their use of AI. The European Union’s AI Act, China’s state-led governance model and measures introduced by individual US states are shaping the rules around the technology.

For retailers, compliance is becoming a strategic consideration, particularly for customer-facing applications that use personal data to personalise offers, automate interactions or analyse consumer behaviour. Regulatory missteps could carry significant costs in a sector where customer trust is critical.

EY Outlines Four Possible Futures

EY recommends that retailers plan for multiple outcomes rather than assume the current investment boom will continue uninterrupted. Its analysis draws on a four-scenario framework developed by Jim Dator of the University of Hawaii.

One scenario envisages constrained AI adoption as economic pressures, regulation, cyberattacks, legacy systems and poor data quality limit progress. Retailers in this environment may prioritise lower-risk back-office applications, such as finance, procurement, inventory and logistics, while customer-facing tools face resistance.

A second scenario anticipates continued growth, with sustained investment and widespread adoption. A third envisages deeper economic and social transformation as technology reshapes business operations. The fourth considers systemic breakdown, in which a small number of technology platforms control access to AI models and charge premium prices, potentially making advanced capabilities less accessible even to large retailers.

Governance Will Determine Competitive Advantage

EY’s findings suggest that investment alone will not determine which retailers benefit most from AI. Companies will also need robust cybersecurity, effective governance and strategies that can adapt to different economic, technological and regulatory conditions.

For a sector operating on tight margins, the challenge is to turn AI investment into lasting business value while managing the risks that come with greater dependence on the technology.