For the vast majority, the government’s “success story” is a fairy tale
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou on underemployment in Cyprus
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 24th October 2019, Nicosia
Yet another EU report has revealed that the majority of the people in our country haven’t seen neither a “success story”, nor a supposed spectacular recovery of the Cyprus economy. Cyprus, according to figures released by “Eurostat”, ranks the second worst position across the EU as regards the table on underemployment. The EU average with regards underemployed persons stands at 18%, but in Cyprus the figure is almost three times higher, that is 52%. Over half of Cyprus’ working people on part-time employment status are searching for, but can’t find full-time and permanent jobs. These figures confirm two important truths hidden by the government and big employers.
First: Flexible forms of employment have expanded dramatically in Cyprus. Part-time employment, underemployment and the purchase of services are becoming the norm, especially for young people. This means lower wages and fewer rights. An entire generation, the young generation, is being forced to suffer working and living conditions going back decades, at the same time as the cost of living is rising.
Second: The reality surrounding unemployment is completely different from the government’s celebrations about statistical figures because they do not count the thousands of working people who are forced to work in part time employment as they can’t find any full-time and permanent jobs. The government doesn’t count neither the thousands of young Cypriot graduates and scientists who are working abroad. If in fact we take into account the huge decline in wages and deterioration in employment conditions for those who do have a job, then one understands what the reality actually is for working people and our country’s young people.
The government ruling forces consider the “get-rich-quick” policies from the scheme selling “golden passports”, the billions granted to the few and the dismantling of labour relations as constituting growth. For the majority, however, growth should mean an economy that produces and maintains full, permanent, and dignified jobs with rights for everyone. It means an economy that works for the many, not for the privileged few.
The government cannot understand this, let alone implement it. It serves the few and the privileged and isn’t interested in the many.
