Trade unions in Cyprus organize mass rally against austerity measures

Unionists from workers’, farmers’ teachers’ and students’ organizations PEO, DEOK, OELMEK, POED, OLTEK, POAS, EKYSY, PSEM, and EKA, held a press conference Tuesday announcing their decision to organize their first mass demonstration against “the strict austerity measures imposed by the Troika and those who abide by its policies”.

Trade union representatives said that strict austerity measures lead to the destruction of the social rights they have secured.

The organizers have called on all workers and citizens to express their disapproval against the strict austerity measures and demand a decent standard of living, employment opportunities for the new generation, prosperity, and the implementation of policies that would take into consideration above all the welfare of the citizens and not just economic indicators.

In their joint declaration, the trade unions note that this is the first demonstration they are organising, with an aim to send “a clear and loud message at home as well as to the EU and the European Central Bank that the people of Cyprus demand a change of course”.

“European workers, their unions, citizens, Small and Medium sized Enterprises, young men and women, demand and propose a new and different plan for economic recovery, growth and creation of jobs, that would lead to a Europe of solidarity among its member states, cohesion and social solidarity ", they stress.

The demonstration will begin in front of the Ministry of Finance. Demonstrators will head to the Presidential Palace where they will hand in a petition to the President of the Republic.