What does the proposal provide
File photo.
The Minister of Labor and Social Insurance, Yiannis Panayiotou, submitted his final proposal to the employers' and trade unions of the ready-mix concrete sector and said that he expects a response by tomorrow, Saturday.
The Minister's final proposal includes reformulated provisions regarding the proportion of overtime compensation and the amount of annual increases.
In his statement after the meeting, the Minister said that “the protection of the public interest requires the restoration of normality in the ready-mix concrete production sector.”
He noted that the Ministry's proposal provides for the renewal of the Collective Agreement in accordance with the negotiating framework, the mediation proposal and the relevant clarifications that have been made and includes reformulated provisions regarding the proportion of overtime compensation and the amount of annual increases.
Regarding compensation for overtime work, which was the cause of the strike, the Minister's proposal provides for compensation of 1:1.40 for weekdays, 1:1.70 on Saturdays and 1:2 on Sundays and holidays, compared to 1:1.50 and 1:2 that the employees were demanding.
At the same time, the Minister said that the Ministry plans to carry out increased inspections and targeted controls in the sector for compliance with the provisions of the legislation regarding working time and insurance contributions.
“The continuation of the confrontation in the ready-mix concrete production sector is now having a negative effect on the construction industry and is creating serious repercussions on the Cypriot economy,” he said, adding that “collective responsibility requires a positive response to the Ministry's final proposal for resolving the labor dispute, for the renewal of the collective agreement and for the restoration of labor peace.” The Minister noted that the responses from both sides are expected by Saturday, November 30, and if the final proposal is accepted by both sides, the signing of the agreement will follow, so that the ready-mix concrete production sector can operate normally and the supply of the construction industry can be restored. The Industrial Relations Code provides that employees and employers must operate in a spirit of good faith and mutual understanding, taking into account the public interest. Today, responding to these obligations is essential to reaching a compromise agreement that will restore normality and ensure stability in the sector for years to come,” he concluded.
