British bases employees seek remote work amid drone incidents

Employees of the British base’s civil administration branch of Pasydy have formally requested the immediate introduction of teleworking for personnel working within the British base areas, citing growing security concerns.

In a letter addressed to the British deputy command secretary Stephen Dougan on Thursday, the union branch asked that staff whose duties can be carried out remotely be allowed to work outside base premises as a precautionary measure.

The request follows developments at RAF Akrotiri, where personnel were instructed to evacuate earlier and the base was left operating only with essential security staff.

According to Pasydy, no similar guidance has been issued for employees working at the other British bases in Episkopi, Dhekelia and Ayios Nikolaos.

Union representatives argue the discrepancy has created uncertainty among staff.

The branch expressed concern about “the current unstable situation and the escalating military conflicts in the region, which may put the safety of personnel working at British bases in Cyprus at immediate risk”.

“Given the current circumstances and the unpredictable development of events, we believe that the administration must proceed without further delay with the implementation of remote working for all staff whose duties can be performed without requiring their physical presence,” the letter states.

Pasydy added that the safety of employees should remain the overriding priority.

The union also warned that continuing operations within base facilities under heightened security risks could expose personnel to unnecessary danger.

“Continuing work within the facilities under increased safety risks could unnecessarily expose personnel to potential danger,” the letter said.

Union officials urged the administration to act pre-emptively while the situation remains fluid.

“Taking preventive measures at this stage would demonstrate responsible leadership and a clear commitment to protecting the workforce,” the branch wrote, calling on management “to assess the situation with the utmost seriousness and immediately implement remote work protocols, where feasible”.

The request comes as security concerns surrounding the British bases have intensified following a series of incidents linked to regional hostilities.

Earlier on Thursday, a brief security alert was issued at RAF Akrotiri, though it was declared resolved within minutes.

The alert was the second such incident reported at the base during the day.

The heightened caution follows a drone strike earlier this week which struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri, raising concerns in Cyprus over the island’s proximity to an expanding military theatre in the eastern Mediterranean.

British aircraft stationed at the base have already taken part in regional defence operations, including the interception of drones over Jordanian airspace earlier this week.