The reorientation of the Cyprus economy is necessary
Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou, after visiting the facilities of the Karamontani Brothers Company
Collective agreements should take precedence over personal contracts
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 12th April 2021, Nicosia
“First of all permit me to express my joy at what we have learnt from our visit. I’m glad that technology is being used here to process raw materials into products.
It is extremely important to reorient the Cyprus economy by putting the emphasis on a new developmental model that will also be based on more on the primary sector of the economy, but also the manufacturing sector.
We believe that the Cyprus economy has reached a point where it needs to develop in other sectors. It must give emphasis to the issues of innovation technology so that we can move forward as other economically advanced countries have.
We have discussed with the workers the issues that we consider to be extremely important at a time when efforts are being made to deregulate work and labour relations.
AKEL insists that collective agreements should be extended and implemented, they should take precedence, with legislative sanction of course, over personal contracts. Where there are no collective agreements, AKEL’s demand is that mechanisms must be set up that will determine the minimum wage and other rights that working people must have.
We have clarified that we support the demand put forth by the trade unions for the abolition of the 12% penalty for those choosing to retire at 63. The government says the economy has entered new levels and for that reason a working person who has paid his/hers required contributions to the social insurance fund must be entitled to leave work at 63 without having to pay the 12% penalty charge.
We have also said that the state must provide incentives to the Small and Medium-size Businesses and support them through a relevant financial fund so that they can reopen after the pandemic ends.”
