General Strike in North Cyprus on 2nd August 2010
The Platform of Unions in North Cyprus have announced that there will be a general strike and a rally on Monday, August 2nd, between the hours of 07.30 and 14.00. The rally will take place in front of the TRNC Parliament and is in response to the economic measures package prepared by the government. Members of four trade unions have already started an overtime ban at sea ports and Ercan airport and are suggesting that as a result of their action current entries and exits into North Cyprus were illegal.
These unions have alleged that they have not been paid for overtime for three months and Mehmet Özkardaş, leader of the Cyprus Turkish State Civil Servants’ Trade Union (KTAMS), is quoted in Cyprus Today (28/7/2010) as saying “they would actively try to stop vessels leaving GaziMağusa and Girne ports”. Nurses and midwives, also alleging that their overtime has not been paid, have apparently stated that they will only do emergency work outside of their normal working hours.
What the unions are complaining about are the government’s austerity measures partly brought about by Turkey saying that it is no longer prepared to continue funding salaries which are higher than the minimum wage in Turkey. The measures the North Cyprus government are putting in place include the removal of the system of paying a 13th month salary and an end to summer working hours. They are also intending to raise several taxes which will mean increased prices for petrol, electricity, alcohol, importing cars and many other things. They are also suggesting increases in income tax and for the first time they intend to tax pensioners’ income. Allowing the CTA to fail was the first indication of the government’s resolve to control spending.
It looks like a “summer of discontent” is inevitable but unless the unions can come up with an alternative strategy to balance the North Cyprus government budget then it is a small price to pay for putting the TRNC on a sound economic footing for probably the first time.
Pauline Read on
Can it be that at last the T.R.N.C. are having a
reality check???
Good God, they are being asked to work for a living at a realistic wage and come into line with Turkey – who are having to pay the bills – no wonder they are going on strike.
TRNC needs sound economic footing, learn from the mistakes of other countries and get it right. It will be painfull, but look and some of the silly things that go on 13th month salary. come on. we all need to work for a realistic wage that benifits all in the end.
stephen day was spot on about cyprus 44 the unsubstantiated rumor mill !
Cyprus Today, Quoted as “On this day” 1972 London Dockers go on strike to protect jobs. How many London dockers are there now? How did the miners’ strike help the miners? Go on TRNC prove the rule to be true. Let’s see how many jobs remain once the trade unions have destroyed what little industry there is on the island. Congratulations for clear thinking and the ability to learn from other people’s errors. BRILLIANT.
Of course they should tax on pension income, they
retire early, have more disposable income than most
ordinary TC’s have monthly income on which they have to pay tax. Name me one country in the world
where all income isn’t taxed.
Polly , the pseudo state is NOT one country in the world !!
The T/Cs , most of whom hold RoC passports and IDs do not want the standard of living applicable to a third world nation such as Turkey is. They emulate their G/C compatriots who do receive 13th and some 14th salaries , they want the same they do not want their standards reduced , after all the 60,000 or so who have RoC IDs are in receipt of benefits including the most important of them all FREE HEALTH CARE !
The pseudo state compared to the rest of the world i indeed an oxymoron of the highest order !!
Yiannis, clearly you wouldn’t know an oxymoron if it bit you on the arse.
What is this “13th and 14th” salary you talk about?
Ian , shut it stupid , you dont count remove the o and maybe you will find what an oxymoron of an Aussie you really are !!
Your full of it milt TC have no choice at the moment but just you wait and see we will over take the south in all areas eventually . ROC passport is like having a shit, just need to get it out and flush it down the bog.
Sack the strikers and employ a few aged expats part time, then you would only need one supervisor instead of six when digging a hole in the road.
It would probably need about 5 pensioners on a three-day week to do a better job of running the Government. A couple to run the judiciary, 2 days on per week, and a German expat working one day a week to run the banking sector. Consider it charity work and that should do the trick. If there are no volunteers then they could probably get by with a decent P.A. just to pass on the instructions from Turkey.
Even Janis might do a better job in government, sometimes a real racist hardliner can be an asset.
British Turk , you will indeed overtake the RoC , A PSEUDO STATE SUCH AS THE MICKEY MOUSE “TRNC” !!!!
When pigs begin to fly then the pseudo state will overtake the legal state !!
When honour killings stop in Turkey , when the 20 million Kurds are recognized then the pseudo state will…..
Wake up mate you are backing the wrong horse.
Turkey is becoming slowly but surely more Islamic , the veil will become a legal requirement and the West will wake up too just as Israel has.
Not seen David Camroon in Turkey this week then. Cant wait to see what people like you will say when Turkey sorts itself out and joins Europe. you need to get updated mate. Your talking in the past. Ive told you already ROC is the ilegal state that thinks it runs cyprus, mugs the lot of em. Turkey is a proud Muslim country for the record. Another thing your lot cant do nothing about. Keep it coming, your bigot views have no bounds. Sad old IN THE PAST MAN.
ROC stands for rubish other cyprus. TRNC is far better for relaxing and sunbathing and swimming. Cant wait will be there all of August. Equal rights for all people that live in the TRNC is coming soon dont worry all.
Thunderbox, you are so right on! I know for sure Polly could have put that Bypass in in 1/3 the time and I would love to see her out there on the dozer. Mind you, with just a little concern that a certain bank might accidentally get backed into.
Thomas,
So you’ve seen my driving! I have searched out my
hard hat and polished my Doc Martens, ready when they need me.
Anyone see Genc TV on Monday, a certain 5 some
was well discussed.
BT , is this why 60 thousand T/Cs have taken up RoC IDs AND BENEFITS !!
YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT AREN’T YOU !
You’re right about the benefits Janice, but then you would know a lot about cheapskate freeloading in a foreign country having done yourself for so long.