Thousands of workers in Paphos rallied on Thursday, demanding the full restoration of the cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA). The protest, which drew a significant crowd outside the district administration, was part of a nationwide strike aimed at ensuring that workers’ earnings keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
A Unified Call for CoLA
Carrying placards that read “hands off CoLA”, “CoLA for all”, and “the struggle for CoLA does not stop here”, demonstrators expressed their determination not only for their own rights but also for future generations. They see CoLA as a vital assurance of prosperity and social justice.
Voices from the Rally
Petros Demosthenous, the Sek Paphos district secretary, addressed the crowd, stating that the strike represented a “collective confirmation” of the need to defend workers’ dignity and maintain the integrity of labour relations. “We demand CoLA at 100 per cent to cover all workers so that they are paid in line with inflation and the cost of living,” he asserted, emphasising that the mechanism should be extended to all employees without exception.
Andreas Antoniou from Peo Paphos echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unity among workers from both the public and private sectors. He urged attendees to advocate for “CoLA for all, CoLA in its philosophy, and hands off CoLA”.
Demands for Legislative Action
Antoniou also pointed out the union’s longstanding proposal to apply CoLA to the minimum wage. He called on the government to devise a plan for extending collective agreements, aligning with EU directives. Melina Stefanou, the Deok Paphos district secretary, characterised the workers as being “on the front line of resistance” against deregulation and efforts that undermine the welfare state.
Warnings Against Division
Stefanou cautioned against attempts to create divisions among employees, stating, “We will disappoint those who try to pit workers against each other.” This message was reiterated by Yiannakis Ioannou, head of the Pasydy Paphos district council, who accused employers’ organisations Oev and Keve of seeking to abolish CoLA. He stressed the importance of the strike in promoting the rights of all workers and reaffirmed the demand for CoLA to be applicable to everyone.
Support from the Nursing Community
Maria Triantafyllou, representing the nurses’ union Pasyno, described the protest as “not just a strike but a clear message of resistance to injustice”. She highlighted the commitment of nurses, who often work “day and night, holidays and weekends”, stating they would not accept any cuts to CoLA, which she referred to as an “inalienable right”.
Political Support for Workers’ Rights
Political backing for the protest also emerged, with Akel MP Valentinos Fakontis labelling CoLA a shield against rising prices and the housing crisis. “We must support workers so the mechanism extends to all,” he commented, reflecting a growing recognition of the socio-economic pressures faced by citizens.
Eugenios Agathokleous, head of Poed Paphos, referred to CoLA as a “long-standing achievement” and expressed hope that the mobilisation of workers would yield positive outcomes. He echoed the sentiment that the current economic climate necessitates a reevaluation of wage adjustments.
Impact on Public Services
The nationwide strike had a noticeable impact on public services in Paphos. At the Paphos general hospital, outpatient clinics were closed by 11am, with only emergency cases being managed. Schools also closed early, with parents required to pick up their children as all-day schools reopened later in the afternoon. Public transport was suspended during the strike hours, causing further disruptions.
Flight Delays at Paphos Airport
Additionally, flight operations at Paphos airport were affected, with several services delayed or rescheduled, highlighting the widespread ramifications of the strike across various sectors. The demonstrators’ actions have drawn attention to their cause, as they continue to advocate for the restoration of CoLA and its equitable application across the workforce.
