For months, the government has ignored the calls of AKEL and cultural agencies for speedy and effective support of art workers
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 18th December 2020, Nicosia
Once again, the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports is engaging in political games to serve expediencies, aiming to rid himself of the grave responsibilities he has for the delays and depreciation he has shown towards those working in the field of Culture. While for months, the Education Minister Mr. Prodromou was deaf to the appeals being issued by AKEL and cultural agencies for speedy and effective support to be provided to art workers, yesterday, taking advantage of the rejection of the government’s State Budget by the majority of Parliament, he stated that he would not implement the government’s decision to pay art workers the lump sum of 900 Euros.
We also point out that the 2021 Budget does not under any circumstances take into account the new conditions that have been created by the pandemic, given that the funds allocated are at the same unacceptable low levels of previous years. Even the EU, in the conditions of the pandemic, realizing the importance of culture, increased by 600m Euros funds allocated for Culture within the framework of the “Creative Europe” program.
AKEL urges the government, without any delay, to proceed with the payment of the lump sum allowance to those employed in the field of Culture, in 2020, supporting those whose incomes have fallen significantly due to the measures being taken to address the Covid-19 pandemic, within the framework of the processes for submitting a new revised State Budget, so that the funds allocated to the Cultural Services are increased significantly.
