BULLETIN PEO SEPTEMBER 2016

B LLETIN

PEO

SEPTEMBER 2016

CONTENTS Page : 1 Trade Unions members of WFTU in Cyprus marked International Day of Action of Trade Unions for Peace -1st of September Page : 2 The Workers united to protect the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Page : 3

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Summit of the World Peace Council’s Regions of Europe and the Middle East was held in Cyprus, 8-9th September Page : 4 Event in Cyprus in honor of the 17th WFTU Congress

TRADE UNIONS MEMBERS OF WFTU IN CYPRUS MARKED INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION OF TRADE UNIONS FOR PEACE -1ST OF SEPTEMBER

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot trade unions members of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) hosted an event for peace and reunification on September 1st in the buffer zone in Nicosia.

1st of September was established by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) as the International Day of Action for peace, in memory of the millions of victims of Nazism and fascism.

The host organizations were trade unions PEO, DEV-IS, KTAMS, KTOS, KTOEOS, BES, KOOP -SEN, and the event was supported by many parties and organizations, from both communities.

The Common Speech for the joint event on 1st September 2016, the International Trade Union Day of Action for Peace, by Pambis Kyritsis General Secretary of PEO and the President of BES Ulus Arbalikly.

Page : 6 Worker’s struggle in cyprus Page : 7

Page : 8 solidarity with the French working class

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PEO bulletin THE WORKERS UNITED TO PROTECT THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE (COLA)

Statement of the General Council of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO).20TH September 2016, Nicosia The General Council of PEO at its meeting held on the 19th of September discussed and assessed the situation concerning the issue of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in view of the expected dialogue due to start on behalf of the Minister of Labour on the issue and agreed to the following framework guiding its policy: • The General Council of PEO considers that the forthcoming discussion on the COLA does not start from scratch. In 2012 a dialogue was conducted which led to the submission of a proposal for changes in the institution, which PEO, as well as other trade unions, had accepted, while the employers’ associations have not accepted.

• The institution of indexation aims at making up the purchasing power of wages on the basis of the movement of inflation. Consequently, PEO does not accept any arrangements that would alter this philosophy and on this basis doesn’t accept that the COLA should be given half.

• With regards the basis for restarting COLA, we do not accept the employer’s position that there must be reductions in wages because of the negative inflation. We believe that working people have already paid an enormous and disproportionate cost, both in labour and social terms. It is inconceivable that working people are being called upon to suffer further reductions in their wages. During the period of this severe crisis and continued downturn in the economy, wages have fallen on average by more than 20%, while their related employment benefits have shrunk or have been completely frozen. Besides, this was also the main reason for the negative movement of inflation, which certain circles and forces invoke to argue in favour of their position that together with the restarting of COLA the cost of living allowance must be reduced.

• The General Council of PEO will seek cooperation and the projection of a common position by the trade unions on the issue of the COLA. In this effort, the working people must be prepared to forge a united and militant front to respond, aiming at the preservation of the COLA as a mechanism to replenish the purchasing power of wages.

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PEO bulletin SUMMIT OF THE WORLD PEACE COUNCIL’S REGIONS OF EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST WAS HELD IN CYPRUS, 8-9TH SEPTEMBER

Within the framework of the deliberations of the first day of the session hosted at the PEO offices in Nicosia, the General Secretary of PEO Pambis Kyritsis had meeting with the representatives of the Peace Movements.

Welcoming the representatives the General Secretary of PEO referred to the battles waged by the trade union movement of Cyprus as well as throughout Europe today against neoliberal policies.

He subsequently stated that the working class defends peace as it is the working people who are suffering the consequences of the wars being waged with blood and pain.

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The General Secretary of PEO made a particular reference to the Cyprus problem as Cypriot working people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, have many reasons to be sensitive to the issue of peace, explaining that they are victims of the imperialist and militaristic plans.

This is the reason why PEO in parallel to the class struggle is developing in cooperation with progressive Turkish Cypriot trade unions joint action for rapprochement and for Cypriots to be left without “guardians” and “protectors” so as to build their common future in conditions of peace.

Finally he assured the representatives that PEO will continue to participate actively in the peace movement within the ranks of the Pancyprian Peace Council and supports both the peace movement in Cyprus and the World Peace Council in the common struggle for the prevalence of peace and social justice

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PEO bulletin EVENT IN CYPRUS IN HONOR OF THE 17TH WFTU CONGRESS

On 29th June an event took place in Nicosia at the Peace Hall, at the end of Ledra Street, organized

by PEO and the Turkish Cypriot trade unions DEV-IS, KTAMS, KTOS, KTOEOS, BES and KOOPSEN in view of the 17th Congress of the WFTU in South Africa.

Speaking at the event the General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) George Mavrikos said the joint action of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot class-based trade unions is a positive example for the international trade union movement.

“We feel particular joy and satisfaction that we are here with you, together with the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots whose joint presence here today underlines the results that the joint action of the militant and class-based trade unions manage bring when they manage to unite around common goals and to struggle, united, together to reunify the island,” he said.

He noted that, “this joint effort and joint action of the class-based trade unions of Cyprus affiliated to the World Federation of Trade Unions family is a lesson, a positive example for the trade union movement throughout the world on how trade unions must unite and struggle together on priorities, key issues and on strategic objectives, but also to solve working people’s problems.”

He also said that since the last WFTU Congress five years ago “steps have been taken, but we need to do much more in order to meet the demands of the international working class in the conditions of a deep economic crisis of the capitalist system and of more acute exploitation to the detriment of the international working class.”

The WFTU General Secretary Mavrikos stated that during the 17th Congress, WFTU will express its solidarity and common course of the international trade union movement towards the goal of reunification and that specific initiatives will be taken at a European and international level “in order to exert more decisively and actively pressure for the solution of the Cyprus problem “.

In his address, PEO Secretary General Secretary Pambis Kyritsis stated, inter alia, that “the WFTU remains the long-standing international class trade union force that is defending peace, struggling against imperialist interventions, resisting the onslaught of neoliberalism and is defending a different philosophy on international policies and economic developments and for a world where social justice, equality and solidarity will prevail”.

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PEO bulletin The event included a short cultural program and a poster exhibition on WFTU’s actions and struggles over the last decade.

Pambis Kyritsis stressed that the 17th Congress of the WFTU will be held “in a country that is a symbol, namely the heroic land of Mandela where the most cruel and bloody struggles were waged against racism and apartheid.”

Subsequently, the General Secretary of PEO noted that “with the Turkish Cypriot trade unions that are affiliated to the WFTU we are working together systematically and over time, despite the obstacles and difficulties, for a solution that will reunite our country and people, for a solution that will liberate our country from the foreign military presence and create conditions of peace, security and prosperity for all Cypriots without any guardians and patrons”.

In his address on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot trade unions, the President of KTAMS Ahmet Kaptan, speaking through an interpreter, said that Cyprus is too small to be divided and added that “we learned many lessons from 1974 and the partition and we will use these lessons in the future to unite our homeland”. He also that the working people must continue their struggle against the neoliberal attacks with determination.”

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PEO bulletin WORKER’S STRUGGLE IN CYPRUS

Striking worker’s struggle at the Desalination Plant in Episkopi a great success!

The demands of the workers and their trade unions at the Desalination Plant in Episkopi were fully satisfied given that their strike which lasted four days was vindicated. We recall that the workers went on strike from Monday 12th September until Thursday 15th September.

More specifically, the Minister of Labour submitted a proposal to the workers and employers side for the srawing up of a Collective Agreement and this accepted was accepted.

“Together with workers we waged a struggle with determination and dynamism for the conclusion of a collective agreement, a demand that arose as a result of the indifference and refusal of the employers’ side to respond positively. Our struggle has been vindicated and we express our satisfaction,” stressed the statement issued by the trade union SEMMIK of PEO. “Aphrostrom” company worker’s demands have been met The two-day strike (26-27th July) held by workers in the “Aphrostrom” company in Larnaca has ended successfully after their demands were met within the framework of the policy of the trade union movement of PEO to restore wages. Under the agreement the following increases will be given: - As of 01/01/2016 a 3% increase on existing wages.

- As of 01/01/2017 a 3% increase on existing wages.

- As of 01/01/2018 a 2% increase on existing wages.

Regarding working hours: - By 31/12/2016 working hours will be 40 hours per week.

- By 31.12.2017 working hours will be 39 hours per week - By 31.12.2018 working hours will be 38 hours per week 6

PEO bulletin PARTICIPATION OF PEO IN THE ANTI-IMPERIALISTIC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY WFTU AND NAKLIYAT- IS DISK IN ISTANBUL PEO participated in the anti-imperialistic international conference organized by WFTU and Nakliyat-is DISK hosted in Istanbul between 27-29 of May. Speaking on behalf of PEO the Central Organizing Secretary Christos Tombazos conveyed the solidarity of the working class of Cyprus and condemned imperialistic policies of interventions for the control of resources causing pain and bloodshed to the peoples and the hundreds of thousands of refugees. Also informed about the situation in Cyprus and the struggles developed by PEO in defence of the workers and for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN REGIONAL OFFICE OF WFTU IN VIENNA The European Regional Office of WFTU met in Vienna, Austria on June 2. The meeting discussed the preparation of the 17th World Trade Union Congress, as well as the developments in Europe, with the struggles of the workers in many countries, the refugee issue etc.

The EUROF meeting, which was hosted by the Left Bloc in the Austrian Trade Union Federation, concluded with a protest at the European Union Offices against the TTIP and expressing solidarity with the struggle of the French workers.

PEO is the coordinator of the Regional Office in Europe.

PARTICIPATION OF PEO IN THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TRADE UNION FORUM IN BELARUS A four members delegation of PEO participated in the International Youth Trade Union Educational Forum”TEMP-2016” organized by FTUB in Belarus between 28 of June -4 of July During their participation the delegation of PEO discussed issues that affect young people today and presented the activities of PEO in the field of youth.

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PEO bulletin SOLIDARITY WITH THE FRENCH WORKING CLASS On the occassion of the national demonstration which was held in France, on the 14th of June a solidarity message expressing on behalf of the working people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, their support and solidarity with the struggles and mobilizations of the French working class was sent.

The French working class is currently waging an important battle against the French government’s policies which through the proposed law promotes the deregulation of labor relations.

The implementation of Komri law will mean the destruction of collective agreements and thus wages, working hours and other benefits gained through hard and long struggles to the benefit of capital.

The French workers are resisting with mass mobilizations and the waging of fierce struggles against the neoliberal policies being imposed in Europe and which are driving the people to poverty and misery.

The mobilization of the working class, youth, students and French society against the government’s anti-labor bill reveal in the most characteristic way that the attack on the rights of the working class is not a matter that concerns only France, but represents a general attack across Europe.

In Cyprus, both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot workers are experiencing the effects of vicious neoliberal policies. In the south, the workers are suffering from the consequences of the Memorandum’s implementation which agreed by the Anastasiades government with the Troika and which has led to recession, a dramatic increase in unemployment and poverty, cuts to education, health and the welfare state.

In the north, workers are experiencing a similar situation as a result of the neoliberal austerity policies imposed by Turkey.

The struggles of the working people and coordination of actions is necessary to change these policies and combat capitalism’s strategy and attacks. The trade union movement and society in general have a duty to fight for the defense of working people’s interests.

Pancyprian Federation Of Labour Archermou 29 1045 Nicosia Cyprus P.O. Box 21885 tel : 22866400 fax : 22866512 e - mail : info@peo.org.cy

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