cost-of-living allowance — The cost-of-living allowance (CoLA) has emerged as a focal point for trade unions Peo and Deok, who assert that this matter transcends financial and legal boundaries, marking it as a critical social issue that demands immediate implementation.
- “We gave alternatives that could be used in practice to extend CoLA,” Matsas stated to the Cyprus News Agency. “It is important to see what the Law Office will say.”
In a joint statement, union leaders expressed their concerns on Thursday, urging the government to provide clarity and avoid misleading the public about the future of CoLA. The remarks followed an employer-commissioned opinion that labelled any legislative regulation of CoLA as unconstitutional.
Cost-of-living allowance: Union Leaders Call for Action
Andreas Matsas, the general secretary of Sek, emphasised the need for the government to substantiate its proposal to extend CoLA coverage to all workers. He insisted that the government should seek a legal opinion to affirm the proposal’s validity.
“We gave alternatives that could be used in practice to extend CoLA,” Matsas stated to the Cyprus News Agency. “It is important to see what the Law Office will say.”
Concerns About Labour Relations
Matsas voiced apprehensions over the handling of the CoLA issue, suggesting that the current approach jeopardises the smooth progression of labour relations. This concern was echoed by Sotiroulla Charalambous, general secretary of Peo, and Stelios Christodoulou, president of Deok. Both leaders emphasised that CoLA should be resolved within the existing labour relations framework.
Charalambous remarked, “CoLA for all is feasible and can be achieved through the existing labour relations system, with the minimum wage and through collective agreements. For us, it is the substance that matters.”
Legal Counsel Under Scrutiny
Adding to the dialogue, Christodoulou highlighted that the interior minister was attempting to prioritise the social implications of CoLA, questioning the legal advice given to employers as being misaligned with the needs of the workers.
As discussions progress, a meeting between the trade unions and the labour minister is anticipated, which may provide more direction on the matter. Christodoulou noted, “We are waiting to conclude our meeting with the labour minister and, when we have a comprehensive and specific picture, we will be able to reach our final positions.”
Future Meetings on the Horizon
Although an all-trade-union meeting has yet to be scheduled, Charalambous indicated that one would be arranged soon, signalling a united front from the unions as they seek to address the pressing issue of CoLA.
