Cyprus government officials are set to receive salary increases totaling over €1.5 million in the 2024 state budget. The President’s salary will increase by €10,000, while ministers and deputy ministers will get a €6,000 increase. Other officials, such as the Attorney General and Supreme Court judges, will receive increases ranging from €4,030 to €8,150. Thousands of employees with low wages will be affected.
What are the proposed salary increases for Cyprus government officials in the 2024 budget?
In the 2024 state budget, Cyprus government officials are set to receive salary increases totaling over €1.5 million. The President’s salary will increase by €10,000, while ministers and deputy ministers will see a €6,000 increase. Other officials, such as the Attorney General and Supreme Court judges, will receive increases ranging from €4,030 to €8,150.
State Budget 2024: Salary Increases for Government Officials
The state budget for 2024 includes increases of over €1.5 million in salaries and allowances for government officials and senior government officials. Among those receiving the largest increases are members of the Cabinet, many of whom also receive substantial pensions, and some even without reaching the retirement age, which is set by law for ordinary citizens, such as President Nikos Anastasiades. This is because different laws and regulations apply to officials.
The President, Prosecutors, and Senior Judges Lead the Dance
In the 2023 budget, the gross salary and allowances for the President amounted to €171,113 per year, while in the 2024 budget, it will be €180,854. It should be noted that this increase includes the Special Allowance, which he recently received (note: the same applies to the other officials).
The Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General, the President and judges of the Supreme Court, and the President and judges of the Supreme Constitutional Court will receive increases from €8,150 (from €161,417 to €169,567).
Increases for the President of the Parliament, Ministers, and Commissioners
The President of the Parliament will receive €7,735 (from €136,045 to €143,780), the President of the Public Service Commission will receive €6,728 (from €136,388 to €143,116), and the President of the Education Service will receive €6,349 (from €129,706 to €136,055).
Ministers, deputy ministers, the Deputy Minister to the President, the Director of the President’s Office, the Government Spokesperson, the Commissioner for Legislation, the Commissioner for the Protection of Children’s Rights, and the Commissioner for Transparency will receive €6,315 (from €110,949 to €117,264).
The President of the District Courts follows, who will receive €6,241 (from €127,820 to €134,061).
Other Government Officials and Department Heads Also Benefit
A large group of officials will receive €6,230 (from €127,623 to €133,853). This includes the President of the Competition Protection Commission, the Health Inspection Commissioner, the Chief Protocol Officer, the Chief of Police, the General Directors of the ministries and the Parliament, the Chief Accountant, the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Administration, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus. Additionally, the directors of all major departments of the public sector will receive €6,057 (from €106,395 to €112,452).
The Presidents of the other Courts and senior provincial judges will receive €5,996 (from €105,495 to €111,491). They are followed by members of the Public Service Commission, who will receive €5,767 (from €101,461 to €107,228), the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, and the Lieutenant General, who will receive €5,757 (from €101,295 to €107,052).
Next are the Commissioner for the Citizen and the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, who will receive increases from €5,434, the Internal Control Officer, who will receive €5,363, as well as the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, the Commissioner for the Environment, and the Commissioner for Equality, who will receive €5,314.
Members of the Education Service Commission will receive increases from €5,296, followed by the Chief Scientist, who will receive €4,887, the President of the Deviation Appeals Council, who will receive €4,585, and the State Aid Control Supervisor, who will receive €4,177.
The last on the list are MPs and representatives of religious groups, who will have increases from €4,030 (from €87,549 to €91,579), the Deputy Government Spokesperson, who will receive €3,635 (from €63,974 in the 2023 budget to €67,609 in the 2024 budget), and members of the Competition Protection Commission, who will receive €3,439 (from €60,505 to €63,944).
No Increases for Some Officials
There is a group of officials for whom no increases are provided in the budget. This includes the representative of the Turkish-Cypriot side in the missing persons’ investigative committee, members of the Independent Authority Against Corruption, the President and members of the Tax Council, and the President and members of the Review Authority for Tenders.
Thousands of Employees with Low Wages
For thousands of employees, the increases received by government officials exceed their entire salary. According to the Statistical Service:
- 9,461 employees have gross earnings that do not exceed €500 per month,
- 27,032 employees have gross earnings ranging from €750 to €999 per month,
- 44,604 employees have gross earnings ranging from €1,000 to €1,249 per month, and
- 69,383 employees have gross earnings ranging from €1,250 to €1,499 per month.
New Positions in the 2024 Budget
The 2024 budget includes the creation of at least 20 new positions for high-paid officials that were not included in the 2023 budget. Some of these positions are for new structures, such as the Court of Appeals, while most are for specific personal positions.
These include the President and members of the Court of Appeals (a total of 16 individuals) who will receive salaries and allowances from €151,814, the Director of the President’s Press Office, who will receive €51,428 (note: this position was not included in the 2023 budget, as the person serving in the position was on secondment from the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation), and the Service Commissioner for Cooperative Companies, who will receive €98,733 (note: currently, this position is held by the Deputy Commissioner).
In addition, a new position for Deputy Minister of the Presidency for European Affairs has been included in the 2024 budget, with a salary of €117,267, as well as a position for a National Security Advisor, who will receive a salary and allowances of €46,733.
It should be noted that the 2024 budget also includes a position for Deputy National Security Advisor, but it appears that it will not be filled at present, as the allocated fund is €10. Nevertheless, the position may have been created to allow for the transfer of funds in the future for its appointment.
Cyprus government officials are getting a pay raise in the 2024 state budget. The President’s salary will go up by €10,000 and ministers and deputy ministers will get a €6,000 increase. Other officials, including judges and commissioners, will also receive increases ranging from €4,030 to €8,150. However, this will affect thousands of employees with low wages. The budget also includes the creation of new positions for high-paid officials, including a Deputy Minister for European Affairs and a National Security Advisor.
