Turkish Cypriot trade unions in the north have decided to hold a general strike and stage a protest outside the legislative building on Monday, 6 April.
According to Turkish Cypriot online media, Burak Mavis, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Union (KTÖS), said on behalf of the unions that the mobilisations will continue until the ruling coalition steps down, accusing it of failing to respect the rule of law and of having “lost its legitimacy in society”.
Anger over minimal pay increases
In a joint statement, the unions argue that citizens have been left unprotected against inflation and exchange rate fluctuations due to the absence of proper economic planning. They also criticised comments attributed to the official responsible for finance who reportedly said that the only pay increase workers would receive all year would amount to 7.07 per cent.
The unions further accuse the ruling coalition of lack of transparency, corruption and favouritism in the awarding of public contracts. They stress that they will continue fighting to defend citizens’ purchasing power and uphold principles of the rule of law.
The announcement ends with a call to all workers to join Monday’s mobilisation.
Source: CNA