Urgent Call For Telework Measures Amid Heightened Security Risks At British Bases In Cyprus

The British Base Personnel Sector of PASYDY has requested the introduction of telework arrangements for employees working at British bases in Cyprus. The request was submitted to Stephen B. Dougan, Deputy Command Secretary of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA), through the union’s General Secretary.

Rationale Behind Telework Implementation

According to PASYDY, the administration of the British bases has instructed personnel at the Akrotiri base to leave the area, with operations continuing only with essential security staff. No similar directive has been issued for facilities in Episcopi, Dhekelia and Agios Nikolaos. Employees at those locations continue to work on site, according to the union.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Telework Directive: A Proactive Strategy

In its letter titled “Urgent Recommendation For Immediate Telework Implementation,” PASYDY said it is concerned about the security situation in the region. The union wrote: “We express our concern regarding the current situation and the military developments in the region, which may pose risks to personnel working at British bases in Cyprus.” PASYDY suggested that employees whose duties do not require a physical presence should temporarily move to telework arrangements.

Operational Safety And Leadership Accountability

Continuing on-site operations under current security conditions could expose staff to additional risks, the letter states. PASYDY argues that introducing telework arrangements for roles that do not require a physical presence would help reduce potential exposure while allowing operations to continue.

The union also urged the administration to consider the request with urgency and introduce the necessary adjustments where possible. According to the letter, such measures would prioritize employee safety while maintaining operational continuity.

PASYDY noted that similar remote-work arrangements have been adopted by organisations and institutions during periods of heightened uncertainty, particularly when security or operational conditions affect normal workplace activity.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus’ Poverty And Social Exclusion Risk Stands At 17.1%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus recorded a poverty or social exclusion risk rate of 17.1% in 2025, below the European Union average of 20.9%, according to new Eurostat figures. Across the bloc, however, more than 92 million people continued to face the risk, highlighting persistent social and economic inequalities.

More Than 92 Million People At Risk Across The EU

A total of 92.7 million people across the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, equivalent to just over one in five residents.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Cyprus is treated as a single statistical region because of its size, unlike many member states divided into multiple regions for comparison. Its national figure therefore provides an overall picture but does not capture differences between districts or communities.

Regional Gaps Remain Stark Across Europe

The risk varied considerably across the EU, with the highest rates concentrated largely in southern, eastern and outermost regions. In 24 of the 243 regions with available data, at least 31.5% of the population faced poverty or social exclusion.

These regions were located in Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France and Romania, as well as Brussels in Belgium and Bremen in north-western Germany.

French Guiana recorded the highest rate, at 54.8%, followed by Calabria in southern Italy at 45.3% and Sicily at 44%. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, recorded 43.7%, while Réunion, another French outermost region, stood at 42.3%.

Central Europe Records The Lowest Rates

At the other end of the scale, 24 regions reported poverty or social exclusion risk rates below 13% in 2025. These included five eastern EU capital regions: Bratislava in Slovakia, Warsaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Zagreb in Croatia.

Other regions with low rates were concentrated in northern Italy, the Czech Republic, northern Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Austria, illustrating the uneven distribution of economic security across Europe.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus’ rate of 17.1% places it below the EU average, although it remains higher than the levels recorded in the bloc’s lowest-risk regions.

The figures suggest that Cyprus performs relatively well compared with the wider EU, but poverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the bloc, affecting more than 92 million people.

Breaking news