We reiterate our firm position against the privatization of the Cyprus Ports Authority
Statement of Andrea Fakontis, AKEL – Left – New Forces Member of Parliament on the privatization of the commercial activities of the Cyprus Ports Authority
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 30th April 2015, Nicosia
Following the Anastasiades government’s decision to privatize the commercial activities the Cyprus Ports Authority, two relevant Bills were submitted and discussed in the Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Works.
As AKEL, we reiterate our firm position against the privatization of the profitable Semi-state organizations and their selling-off to the private interests of public wealth at cut-prices, both for public interest, but also for reasons of national security.
More specifically, with regards the privatization of the commercial activities of the Cyprus Ports Authority and the two relevant draft Bills submitted to the Commission, these:
- Abolish the custom of the Porter and Porter’s employer, without even the completion of the consultation between those involved so that an agreement shall be reached for their acquisition.
- In contradiction to the Law on privatization passed by the majority of the House of Representatives, with the disagreement of AKEL, the proposed bill gives the right to assign all the ports of the Republic of Cyprus and not just the commercial activities of the port of Limassol to a strategic investor.
- Abolish the precondition that the navigator should be an employee of the Authority, authorized by it, something that causes us great concern for issues relating to our national security.
- Offer the opportunity to the Ministerial Cabinet through Decrees to determine the given respective fees and charges payable for the use of ports to the strategic investor.
AKEL reiterates its position against the privatization of the Semi-state organizations and expresses its solidarity with the struggle waged by the workers to prevent the privatization of the ports.
