The General Secretary of the CoE of AKEL Andros Kyprianou sent a letter to the President of the Republic about the problems faced by a large portion of workers and small and medium enterprises in the free area of Famagusta.
The letter states:
"During a tour I did in the free area of Famagusta, I was presented with two very serious problems concerning a large portion of employees and small and medium enterprises.
The first concerns the decree of the Minister of Health for the maximum number of people for service in restaurants. The reduction in the maximum number of customers after the NAVA complaint is unfair because they are basically victims of law-abiding small and medium-sized enterprises that have large outdoor spaces and which now according to the relevant decree can accommodate only up to 150 people, regardless of their square footage. We believe that the number should return to at least the previous 200.
The second concerns seasonal hotel workers and not only, who in case the hotel units or shops where they work do not reopen, are in danger of being left without any income for a long time.
In particular, more than 80% of hotel staff are seasonal workers who are laid off by the end of October and re-hired in late April or early May. The majority of these employees are employed for many years by the same employer.
The other 20% of employees are permanent employees, that is, they are employees who are not fired at the end of the season, but receive a certificate of suspension of service, and the employer is obliged to put on social security 2,8% of the salary for each employee and at the same time to give the other 2,8% as a salary to the employees. These employees who are permanent and receive a suspension, based on the collective agreement, it is the obligation of the employer to re-employ them by April 1 at the latest.
Nevertheless, many hotels start operating in late April or early May, with the result that most employers prefer to employ their employees under the seasonal scheme. At the same time, most employees prefer this seasonal employee status, because that way they can cover in April with an unemployment benefit, which for permanent employees ends on March 31st.
Based on the current government decree, the Government provides permanent employees with a suspension of work with a bonus of 60% of their salary with a maximum amount of € 1214. The seasonal workers who ended their service and exhausted the 6 months of unemployment benefit, are provided with only € 360 per month. Therefore, all these professional employees, who under normal circumstances would have at this time an income of € 1000 - € 2000 in some cases even € 3000, today receive only € 360 and that until 12/10 / 2020.
From 13/10/2020 until they return to work in April or May 2021, these employees will not receive any allowance because in most cases they will not complete the minimum insurable amount of € 4800 (approximately) in social insurance , to be able to get unemployment benefit again. Also, in the winter of 2021-22, they will not be entitled to unemployment benefits.
Therefore, the relevant decree wrongs the specific category of employees, since it leaves them completely uncovered. It is our strong view that an agreement should be reached as soon as possible so that they, as long as they are out of work, have a decent income. "
Famagusta.News