Neither statistical figures, nor our people are prospering

 

Statement of Haris Polycarpou, member of the Economic and Social Research Department of the C.C. of AKEL

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 18th March 2015

 

At the end of the day, neither the statistical figures, nor our country’s citizens are prospering. For the fourth consecutive quarter, employment has recorded the biggest decline within the European Union, given that it has fallen by 1.5% compared to the same period in 2013. Overall in 2014, employment in Cyprus fell by two percentage points, a figure which illustrates the negative impact the austerity policy pursued has caused to society and the Cyprus economy.

Besides, it is no coincidence that in the years of the Memorandum’s imposition emigration from Cyprus to abroad has risen sharply. Unfortunately, the young people of our country having no other option are forced to emigrate to find work abroad, in addition to all those choosing not to return home to Cyprus after the completion of their studies.

AKEL will continue to repeat what is being heard more intensely also at a European level now, namely that the austerity policies implemented not only do not provide any solutions to the economic crisis, but instead inflict enormous social cost. The only ones who continue to deny this fact and insist on continuing the anti-social path of austerity are the government and ruling forces.