Cyprus Port Workers Strike Over Health Insurance Coverage Demands; Further Strike Expected Sept 26

September 16: Cyprus Port Authority workers stopped work for two hours on Monday and announced a 24-hour strike on September 26 to press their demands for continued health insurance coverage.

“Before the implementation of the national health scheme, the Cyprus Port Authority had a yearly budget to cover the health insurance of its workers. We want to keep this budget after the implementation of Gesy for extra costs not covered by Gesy,” Sek representative Yiannis Tsouris told the Cyprus Mail on Monday.

“The indifferent stance of Cyprus Port Authority to our request for health insurance is what led us to the strike which was announced ten days ago. Workers of the Cyprus Port Authority from Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol ask for the insurance to remain alongside Gesy, however the authority refuses any discussion and is planning to close it down next year.”

Talks with the Cyprus Port Authority to discuss the issue and find a solution could avert the strike he said.

“If their position remains the same after the 24-hour strike on September 26, the workers will take new measures, including indefinite strike.”

Source: Cyprus Mail / Gina Agapiou