THE GOVERNMENT yesterday averted a large-scale freeze in the construction sector after reaching a “compromise” deal with ready-mix cement producers, who went on an indefinite strike in the morning.
The drivers of around 300 cement-mixers attempted to converge upon the capital but were stopped from clogging the roads in protest by police just outside Nicosia, in Latsia. Instead, around 30 cement-mixer vehicles were permitted to enter the city.
While the majority of cement-mixers were parked outside the capital, the Cyprus Association of Ready-Mix Manufacturers met with the Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis, during which the two reached a compromise agreement on the standards to be adopted for making concrete.
Association president Neoclis Kyriacou said an agreement was reached on two specifications, that the maximum concrete temperature could go up to 35 degrees Celsius and the chlorine content up to 0.4 per cent.
According to state broadcaster CyBC, concrete was previously offered in Cyprus up to 32 degrees while the chlorine content reached 0.2 per cent.
Chairman of the Standards Committee Petros Markou was quoted by the Cyprus News Agency saying the arrangement would apply for a transitional period of two years, until a scientific study could be prepared which will then set a permanent standard.
After the meeting, Stavrakis said the compromise deal kept specifications within EU standards, preserving a high quality of concrete in Cyprus.
He noted that continuation of the cement-mixers’ strike would have been destructive for the economy.
“Certainly, a strike would have been catastrophic for the economy of the country and would have paralysed the construction industry,” said Stavrakis, adding that a high sense of responsibility for the good of the country prevailed in the end.
The association of ready-mix manufacturers had warned that the country would lose up to €10m a day if the construction sector stopped working.
The manufacturers also visited Communications Minister Erato Kozakou-Markoulli, demanding the abolition of tachographs, devices used to record a vehicle’s speed over time – whether it is moving or stationary – for cement-mixers.
The minister said she would raise the issue with the EU, where tachographs are used in every country except Malta which secured an exemption due to its small size.
The association finally went to parliament demanding an increase in the maximum weight they are allowed to carry in cement-mixers.
In response, House Communications Committee chairman Zacharias Koulias said such legislation was not passed because of concerns that increasing the permitted weight would end up shortening the ‘lifespan’ of public roads.
The compromise deal reached with the finance minister was due to be taken to the association’s general assembly last night for approval.
