MORE THAN 3,000 workers in the construction industry in Paphos are declaring themselves unemployed, according to the general-secretary of the builders’ section of PEO union, Neophytos Assos.
Assos confirmed during an interview on local radio that due to a massive reduction in demand in the construction and building sectors, many people have found themselves without any work at all. And he warned that the situation would continue until 2011.
“Signs of recovery in this industry will begin to show at the start of 2011,” he said, underlining that this would occur as long as the various private and public construction projects earmarked for the coastal town got underway.
“Obviously, movement within the building industry will ensure that a lot of the unemployed would find jobs in the newly opened vacancies,” he said.
Paphos has been worst hit by the economic crisis as it is reliant on the tourism and construction industries as a major source of income.
Construction and development projects have been reduced to a trickle compared with the multitude of projects and the building frenzy that was apparent earlier in the decade.
Local officials and businessmen have been putting constant pressure on the state to try to ensure a number of delayed and proposed projects are certain to go ahead. These include the new road connecting Paphos International airport with the town, the Paphos to Polis highway, the marina at Potima and a variety of other smaller projects.
In addition, some private enterprises are also due to commence projects early next year.
Assos added that the attitude of some employers was not helping, pointing out that trying to slash wages by importing foreign labour was only exacerbating the situation.
“The unions are finding ourselves questioning the behaviour of a number of employers in Paphos, who are trying to avoid proper contracts contrary to labour laws, and in addition they are bringing in cheap labour. This contributes to the problem of unemployment in the town,” he said.
Assos added that Cypriot employers should give priority to the local market by offering them jobs first. “They are well trained and professional, and as a result productivity will be increased,” he said.
“Also, in cases where the company does employ overseas workers, they should be guaranteed salaries and benefits to match that of the locals to avoid exploitation,”
