DISY should take a break from electioneering and their internal issues and deal with the high cost of living and price hikes
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas
18 January 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
New increases in the prices of essential commodities are presented by the Prices Observatory of the Consumer Service. Increases in the price of bread, flour, eggs. Increases in sugar and coffee. Cereals. Vegetables. Increases of 60% of a household’s essential products. The situation is becoming literally unbearable and suffocating for households, for young couples, workers, pensioners and recipients of benefit.
The ruling DISY party should take a break from the electioneering and their internal disputes and deal with the high cost of living and price hikes that is reaping havoc on households and workers. Of course, the problem lies elsewhere. The government ruling forces don’t want to clash with powerful interests. They don’t feel what these increases mean to the lives and pockets of a large section of society. That’s precisely why they have not dealt with price hikes to date, nor do they have any real plan to tackle it.
AKEL is calling for and demanding that a social shield be put in place – here and now – to protect the people against price hikes.
- Firstly, that the Automatic Cost of Living Allowance should be fully restored and extended to every worker in the country. This will protect the purchasing power of the majority of the people.
- Secondly. Social benefits which remain stuck at 2014 levels should be readjusted. The people living on these benefits are literally in deprivation.
- Thirdly. VAT on essential commodities should be reduced and the possibility of putting a cap on their prices should be used.
