AKEL supports the mobilisations of teachers and their trade union
Statement by Christos Christofides, Head of AKEL Education Affairs Bureau on the government’s unacceptable stand to the just demands of teachers
14th May 20221, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
The DISY government’s intransigent and unacceptable stand towards the just demands of the teachers who are employed in the Ministry of Education’s state afternoon and evening programs with the illegal practice of employing them on a freelance basis (“purchase of services”) torpedoes any possibility of negotiation.
During yesterday’s meeting between the government with the trade unions and the representatives of the teachers, the government ruling forces clarified that they will not move even one step from their positions. The government ruling forces, via the Education Minister are once again telling 5,000 people and their families that they have no intention of even discussing an end to the acute exploitation of these people. In fact, the Minister of Education once again acted with arrogance and contempt, insulting thousands of teachers, claiming that they knew the terms of their employment and if they didn’t like it, they should have taken another job.
The Anastasiades/DISY government’s political decision in 2013 turned thousands of teachers, mainly young people, from working for salaries into self-employed contracts through the unlawful and unfair practice of employing them on a freelance basis. This political decision resulted in teachers losing their employment rights and the loss of approximately 35% of their income.
We consider the current mobilizations of teachers and their trade unions to be completely justified. We continue to support, as we have been doing continuously for the last 8 years, their just struggle. We call on the government to finally understand that it is acting unlawfully and behaving inhumanely. The Anastasiades/DISY government is solely responsible for what is happening.
Unfortunately, the Anastasiades/DISY government is taking a blatant anti-worker position on all major issues. It is constantly identified with positions that serve the interests of the privileged few and stands against the many, those who are in real need. The behavior of the government ruling forces is completely unacceptable and the people will reply to their arrogance and provocative stand.
