Cyprus talks to avert port action

The workers were already on strike earlier this month for 24 hours over a voluntary exit scheme and Cyprus Ports Authority’s (CPA) plans to privatise Limassol port, and are now planning a two-day strike on 27 and 28 August. Operations at the port were also rocky earlier this year.

Apparently, a meeting earlier this week left matters unsolved. It’s thought issues concerning transferring port workers to the civil service, the new structure of the ports authority, and the voluntary retirement scheme are top of the list.

While workers are said to already have the option for voluntary exit, and have apparently been told some will most likely be rehired by the new port administration, the unions aren’t satisfied, stating some workers are in specialised professions in the ports that can not be found elsewhere in the public sector.

Meanwhile, it’s understood 35 bidders have now been chosen for the tender for the privatisation of Limassol port – 12 for the concession of the cargo terminal, 10 for the marine services and 13 for the multi-purpose terminal.