Workers from the Larnaca port’s operational department have gone on strike indefinitely as of Monday.
The strike was called on over a dispute regarding working hours and overtime, with trade union Segdamelin Peo’s Larnaca secretary-general Nadia Kyritsi saying that contractor Kition Ocean Port has been “violating” agreements signed together with the workers.
She said that instead of using its own staff to work overtime, the company is employing “external contractors” to fill gaps.
She referred to an agreement struck on February 9, which effectively gives the port’s regular workers first refusal on overtime outside their regular working hours of 7.30am to 3.30pm.
Only if the workers have given a negative response in writing can Kition then use other workers to fill the gaps.
Kyritsi added that a group of workers will travel to Nicosia to meet with Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades regarding the matter.
The strike begs questions regarding the future of the Amalthea plan, with aid ships sent to Gaza from Cyprus typically departing from Larnaca.
Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said on Wednesday that the United States military ship the Sagamore was being loaded with aid provisions. However, as yet, the impact, if any, of the strike on aid is not yet known.
The Cyprus Mail attempted to contact the foreign ministry, the transport ministry, the presidential palace, and the Larnaca municipality, but none were available for comment.
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