Tel-Sen: proposed protocol on transfer of telecom structures in Northern Cyprus is unacceptable

The Turkish Cypriot Telecommunications Workers Union (Tel-Sen) on 9 September 2025 declared that the discussed draft protocol regarding telecommunications in Northern Cyprus is unacceptable and was prepared in a non-transparent manner. According to the union’s head, Hakan Yüredi, the process of selling or transferring public institutions to “individuals or capital” is unacceptable and “this matter is not subject to negotiation.”

Tel-Sen claims that the final version of the protocol was not presented to the union and the public, and demands its full disclosure. The union also reports that during the last 100 days it has repeatedly warned about the negative consequences of the proposed agreement and has defended the interests of the population.

In its statement, the union emphasized that, if necessary, all legal and administrative mechanisms will be used to protect public interests. Tel-Sen called on the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Erhan Arıklı, to immediately meet with union representatives to resolve the issue before it develops further.

For the residents of Northern Cyprus, this may mean retaining control over strategic telecom services and potentially preventing privatization in sectors that affect the accessibility and cost of communication.