Thousands of our compatriots will not have a holiday

Statement by AKEL Nicosia-Kyrenia District Secretary and MP Christos Christofides

AKEL proposals to provide support for vulnerable groups

4 August 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

According to figures released by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), approximately 82,000 workers in Cyprus cannot afford even a few days’ holiday. In fact, Cyprus is the 4th worst country across the whole of Europe in terms of the index, according to which this category of working people makes up 79.2% of all working people whose earnings are on the brink of the poverty line.

This terrible situation demonstrates, once again, the need for policies to be pursued that should boost working people’s incomes and policies implemented that should support social tourism, enabling all working people, but also to all the people to enjoy the social good of a holiday which every person needs.

AKEL has submitted specific proposals in this direction such as:

● There should be a relevant regulated employment framework for all workers. In the sectors of work where collective agreements are in place, there should be legislative regulations that should apply to all working people.

● For those workers who are not covered by collective agreements, a mechanism should be agreed that should guarantee minimum rights for working people (13th month salary, overtime pay, holidays, etc.).

● Strengthen social tourism by the elaboration of permanent schemes to cover all working people. In other words, additional plans are needed to those applying to workers whose holidays are covered by the holiday fund, so that all working people can have access to cheap holidays.

The government’s adoption of these proposals will go a long way to raising the living standards of low-wage earners, thousands of our fellow citizens who are on the poverty line, but also workers who are currently employed under unacceptable employment conditions and without meaningful employment rights.

The lack of political will on the part of the government to support working people has consequences. It negatively affects the standard of living of thousands of our fellow citizens in Cyprus.