Nicosia, Cyprus. The government and Akel exchanged strongly worded statements on Saturday over the state of the economy, citing EU data on poverty risk and disputes over labour policy.
Akel cites EU poverty-risk figures
Akel said that, according to the European Union, one in six people in Cyprus are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and accused President Nikos Christodoulides of not addressing those findings in his May Day message.
Minimum wage and EU targets
Akel said that while Christodoulides highlighted recent increases to the minimum wage, he did not clarify that Cyprus’ minimum wage still falls short of the EU’s target that minimum wages in member states be at least 60 per cent of the median salary.
Collective bargaining directive and deadlines
Akel also pointed to delays in Cyprus ratifying the European directive requiring at least 80 per cent of workers to be covered by collective bargaining agreements, saying it should have been incorporated into national law by November 15, 2024.
Cyprus has not yet wholly transposed the directive into its national legal system, with the EU having set June 7 this year as the deadline for transposition. Akel said the directive is an important tool against labour deregulation and for worker protection, and noted that failure to meet the deadline could lead to action at the European Court of Justice.
May Day marches
Akel said that “thousands of workers of all ages” participated in May Day marches across the island, calling for workers’ rights and “the dignity of society.” It said the working class message was that the country does not belong to banks and the richest people, and demanded decent wages, guaranteed basic rights, collective labour agreements, job security and humane working hours.
Government response
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis rejected Akel’s criticism, saying society did not need lessons in social sensitivity from those whose policies when in government contributed to increased poverty, higher unemployment and the opening of food banks.
How do you think Cyprus should address poverty risk while meeting EU labour directive deadlines?
