CYPRUS’ two largest trade unions representing over three quarters of workers have given warning of a possible general work stoppage in support of construction workers, now in their fifth day of an indefinite strike.
A meeting of union and employers’ officials with Labour Minister Sotiroula Charalambous failed to resolve the construction workers’ strike. Mrs Charalambous said after the meeting that the leaders of the Cyprus Workers’ Confederation (SEK) and the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO) trade unions have left open the possibility of an island-wide general strike if the construction sector dispute is not resolved soon.
Construction workers laid down their tools on Monday demanding that only qualified workers bearing a special card be employed by construction contractors.
Left-wing PEO leader Bambis Kyritsis said that his union has already decided on a general strike in support of construction workers, while the right-wing SEK Workers Confederation was to reach a decision later in the day.