Strike paralyses occupied areas

THE OCCUPIED areas came to a standstill yesterday as some 12,000 Turkish Cypriot civil servants went on strike over pay.

Public offices, schools and banks were closed and picketed by union members, while hospitals were open only for emergency cases.

The 12 unions involved are demanding a pay rise of at least 50 per cent and measures to keep wages up with inflation, running at around 90 per cent a year.

The Turkish Cypriot administration is offering a 40 per cent pay rise.

The strikers warned the measures would continue indefinitely unless an agreement was reached.

The unions are confident the administration will not to be able to last more than three days, Turkish Cypriot papers reported yesterday.

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