TRADE UNIONS and federations yesterday called for collective efforts to help Cyprus ease its way out of the financial crisis, so workers aren’t left picking up the pieces.
May Day celebrations kicked off last night with a series of events and demonstrations by the island’s trade unions SEK and DEOK, while more is expected to follow today.
The two unions held celebrations in the presence of Labour Minister Sotiroula Charalambous and other state officials, while the minister is expected to make a speech today at PEO’s offices in Nicosia. The union will be celebrating the Labour Day in all main towns, while in Nicosia; workers will march towards Eleftheria Square at 11:15, where a cultural programme will follow.
May Day is celebrated in honour of the working movement’s revolt in Chicago 124 years ago, which led to a revolutionary revision of workers’ rights.
Calling for all political sides to unite in order to find a viable solution to the Cyprus problem, the Confederation of Cyprus Workers (SEK) yesterday went on to underline the difficult times Cypriot workers are currently experiencing. “This year, May Day is being celebrated in an unfavourable environment, what with the global financial crisis,” SEK announced.
The confederation added that this was down to “the lack of a powerful welfare state, which is marked by the lack of a general health plan, the lack of a transportation system, extortionate property prices, raging profiteering, illegal afternoon lessons and continuing exploitation in the workplace.”
SEK claimed the current government was exclusively to blame for the “black hole” in public finances and called for immediate consultations with all political parties and social partners to find ways of emerging from the crisis.
“SEK is prepared to support the government, provided drastic measures are taken without delay, which will aim at combating tax evasion, cleansing the wasteful state, improving productivity in the public sector, reducing loaning interests, expanding unemployment benefits to nine months and updating the Labour System to avert workers’ exploitation,” it added.
Finally, the confederation asked for the government to persist with efforts in the EU to postpone imposing VAT on food and pharmaceuticals in 2011, as well as consumption tax on fuel in June.
In contrast, the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO) praised the government for its efforts to support the public in these difficult times.
“We noted with satisfaction that the government is dealing with the problems building up from the crisis in a balanced manner, implementing a stable human-centred policy,” said PEO. The union said these efforts included ensuring the Social Security Fund’s viability, two support packages for constructions, tourism and unemployment, as well as an 18.3 per cent increase in public benefits.
“PEO supports without reservation the philosophy that those who have more and can handle more, should take on a larger share of the consequences.”
The union added, “We will strongly support the measures promoted by the government, aiming to combat tax evasion. For us, combating tax evasion is the first priority to help restore social justice and solidarity.”
PEO also referred to the Cyprus problem, the resolution of which “remains are main goal”. It said, “No achievement of the workers can be permanent and stable while our country remains violently divided, while occupation remains and while it continues. We are working in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot union movement to create the best possible preconditions for a reunification of our state and people.”
Union PASE-DITA, which among others represents public workers, semi-state organisations and local authorities, called for a collective approach by workers to ensure their rights are being respected.
“We are here today, opposite all those who caused the global financial crisis and who are trying to burden the workers with the consequences of this crisis, with various methods and means,” said PASE-DITA.
In an announcement yesterday, Labour Minister Sotiroula Charalambous expressed her gratitude to the working public and unions for ensuring workers’ rights are secured and respected.
She added, “Cyprus’ workers’ and unions’ contribution to the social and working environment, as well as our state’s battles to end the occupation and reunify our country, is massive and deserves the state’s eternal respect.”
Charalambous said this May Day has been marred by the consequences of the financial crisis. “The Ministry of Labour and Insurance, ahead of this difficult environment, sets as its main goal to support employment, the unemployed and the population’s vulnerable sectors.”
She renewed her ministry’s commitment “to effectively and essentially exercise its role in implementing labour legislation, to ensure working relations are operating effectively, to ensure all workers’ rights are respected – independent of sex, race or other specification”.
