Episodes broke out at around XNUMXpm yesterday, between workers at the potato packing plant in Vrysoulles and members of the British Police Base of Dhekelia.The incidents occurred when two Dekeleia Police Station detachments, with anti-protest pendant, accompanied about 20 foreign workers to enter the packaging plant and start work. The strikers, men and women, were outraged and Base police officers tried to force them out of the main entrance of the packaging plant.
In order for the foreign workers to pass through the packaging plant, the police beat the workers, who claim the right to continue working under the same terms of employment as they have been working with until today.
In his statements, O. Christakis Dimitris, Secretary of SEGDAMELIN - PEO of Famagusta, who was beaten by the police, said that "The Base Police confirmed our information that, led by the subcontractor, they accompanied the strikers to the inside of the packaging plant. The action of the British police deprived the workers of the right to guard their strike as they did for the last two days, without anything happening and without disturbing anyone.».
He added that around one o'clock in the afternoon "Men from the Dekeleia Police Station came to the packaging plant and forcibly wanted to move us, pulling us and dragging us to the ground. Several women have been beaten and other strikers have scratches on their hands and feet».
«What happened bothers us a lot and confirms the information we had that the Base Police is covering the new employer.", He added.
Mr. Dimitris He also stated that a proposal was made to the employer until the matter is resolved by the Mediation Service of the Ministry of Labor, "to continue working the staff that existed until today and to be paid with whatever we agree with the Ministry. In other words, if the Ministry proves that we are wrong, then the staff should be paid based on the contracts proposed by the employer.».
Answering a question, he said that "Packaging workers are seasonal workers who are employed for a month or more. Employers are not permanent staff but now that the potato season is beginning, the employer has preferred to invite foreign workers from Romania and other European countries."And explained that"Although the employer called the existing staff but with half the money from what they received so far».
We, continued the Secretary of SEGDAMELIN - PEO "We do not accept changing staffing terms, which is what the company and the new employer want to do.».
The strikers moved their cars and placed them at the entrance of the packaging plant, while declaring that they would wait until the strikers left the factory.
Meanwhile, at around 13.20, one detachment of the British Police Base of Dhekelia withdrew and the second detachment remained at the packaging plant.
Two women were reportedly taken to the Famagusta General Hospital in Paralimni, with minor injuries after being beaten by police at the British base in Dhekelia during the incidents.
Source: KYPE