Memur-Sen: Delay in overtime payments by 3–4 months — violation of rights

On January 12, 2026, in Northern Cyprus, Memur-Sen stated that the delay in paying overtime compensation by 3–4 months by the Ministry of Finance constitutes a violation of workers’ rights.

Göktürk Yötüken, chairman of Memur-Sen, noted in a written statement that overtime payments, which public servants use to compensate for personal and family sacrifices, are systematically delayed by 3–4 months.

Yötüken reminded that the Health Civil Servants Law and the Civil Servants Law explicitly stipulate that payments for additional work must be made no later than one month. He emphasized that the delay in payments contradicts both employee rights and current legislation.

The union chairman also pointed out that interest is charged on overdue government debts, while public servants’ salaries are subject to high taxes, which, according to him, makes the delay in government obligations unacceptable.

Yötüken also criticized the 2026 budget draft for significantly increasing funds for meals and allowances in ministries and for providing state support to political parties amounting to 380 million Turkish lira.

In case of continued delays in payments in 2026, Memur-Sen declared its intention to take legal measures, including refusing overtime work, slowing down labor, and holding strikes.