SME’s and small employers can’t afford the tests for workers
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 24th April 2020, Nicosia
We are constantly receiving complaints and accusations regarding problems being observed in the implementation of the government’s decision to impose compulsory testing on working people employed in the supply chain, food retail companies and old people’s homes.
The complaints primarily concern the fact that small and medium-sized businesses (SME’s) and small-employers, before they managed to arrange a free test for their employees, these tests had ran out.
A very large number of SME’s and small-employers do not have the possibility to cover the costs of tests. The same also applies for many old people’s homes.
The problem was raised yesterday by AKEL at the Meeting of political leaders at the Presidential Palace. The General Secretary of the Party called on the government to allocate additional funds for free tests both yesterday at the Meeting and this morning in a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic.
In addition to the additional funding, the government must this time not follow the “first come first” tactic, but should properly organize the free allocation of the tests, ensuring that SME’s, small enterprises and small-employers are also covered.
