Filenews 24 August 2025
The Pancyprian Nurses' Guild (PASYNO) has officially submitted a request for the determination of the retirement age at 60 years for those nurses who work with circular and night hours. The proposal, which comes at a time of increasing pressure on the health system, is accompanied by international examples, scientific documentation and specific recommendations.
The Secretary General of PASYNO, Mr. Savvas Iakovou, speaks openly to "Fileleftheros" about what it means to be at the forefront of health for decades, why Cyprus must follow European standards and what developments we will have if the State closes its ears. He points out that the organization does not talk about privileges but about survival and dignity. And he notes that the nursing profession is one of the most exhausting and demanding. Investing in the health of nursing staff means better health for patients and the system as a whole, he says. PASYNO calls for institutional recognition of the nursing profession as "heavy and unhealthy", with similar benefits and harmonization with what is in force in many European countries.
The lack of nursing staff, Mr. Iacovou emphasizes, is a challenge, which is why any early departure must be done with caution, so as not to create a vacuum in the system. The first concern for the organization of nurses is to invest in young people, with incentives provided by the state for nursing studies, as in Cyprus there are several universities that offer these fields of study.
Why is the request for early retirement being submitted now?
Because now we have reached the limit. We have nurses who have been working nights and shifts for 30 and 35 years. Their body can't take it any longer, and yet the system asks them to continue until they are 65 or 67. It's like asking a marathon runner to run forever without a finish. Endurance has limits, and we have already reached these limits.
Some may say that this is a union demand for additional privileges. We are not talking about privileges. We are talking about survival and dignity. The nursing profession is one of the most exhausting and demanding. Biological deterioration is documented: increased risk of heart disease, cancer, sleep disorders and depression. When we scientifically say that after the age of 60 a person cannot continue the night shifts without serious consequences, we must listen to it.
What is the picture in the rest of the European countries?
Most EU countries have provisions in place for early or gradual retirement in high-stress occupations. In Italy, for example, nurses can retire at 60, while in France there is the possibility of gradually reducing working hours from 58. In Spain, "heavy and unhealthy" occupations enjoy special pension schemes. We are not asking for something unrealistic, but we are asking for us to reach European levels.
Such a concession increases the cost for the state. What do you answer?
The biggest cost is to have exhausted nurses who can't perform. Mistakes, sick leave, reduced quality of care – all these cost much more than a fair pension arrangement. Investing in the health of nursing staff means better health for patients and the system as a whole.
How would your proposal work in practice?
We call for the establishment of a retirement limit of 60 for those who work on a circular or night basis, with full pension rights. We also propose the possibility of a gradual retirement from the age of 58, with part-time work and a corresponding pension. We also want institutional recognition of the nursing profession as "heavy and unhealthy", with corresponding benefits.
What is your suggestion for older nurses who continue to work?
We propose a reduction in night shifts for people over 55 years of age, with a fixed upper limit of participation per year. This is not a matter of comfort, it is a matter of safety – for them and for their patients.
If the state does not take your request into account?
We will lose people before they reach retirement. Either they will resign, or they will become seriously ill, or they will go abroad. Then the shortage of staff will be more intense. In an environment where there is a global shortage of nursing staff and it is already huge, this will be catastrophic.
You tell us that in Cyprus nurses are... more resilient?
No, of course. In Cyprus we tend to be slow to admit reality. It is not a question of endurance, it is a matter of institutional recognition of deterioration.
Are there international data to support the argument for 60 years?
Naturally. 70% of nurses internationally state that they cannot continue in shifts after the age of 60. The World Health Organization has recognized that working at full time and at night is a high risk factor for serious illness. We are not talking about opinions, we are talking about data.
What is the message you want to send to society?
That nurses are not asking for a favour. They ask to be able to leave the profession for their health, to live with dignity and not to collapse in their shift. When you support the nursing staff, you support the health system itself, which we will all need at some point.
Can you give us some examples of the conditions in EU countries?
Italy: Possibility of full retirement at 60 for high-stress occupations.
France: Gradual reduction of working hours from 58, full pension to 60.
Spain: Special pension schemes for "heavy and unhealthy" occupations, with withdrawal up to 7 years earlier than the general limit.
Germany: Additional allowances and provisions for health professions with circular hours.
PASYNO is not talking about a request only for today. It speaks of a strategic investment in the future of the nursing profession, at a time when the global shortage of nurses threatens the adequacy of health systems.
Given the shortage of nurses, how can the health system withstand if some leave early?
The lack of nursing staff is indeed a challenge, which is why any early departure must be done with caution, so as not to create a vacuum in the system. As a society, our first concern is to invest in young people, providing incentives from the state to study nursing, as there are several universities in Cyprus that offer these disciplines.
At the same time, the profession must be made more attractive, with equal employment conditions in the public and private sectors, good financial earnings and a healthy working environment, in order to attract more young people.
Finally, these measures can be implemented with a well-organized strategy and policy over time, gradually strengthening and stabilizing the nursing workforce.
