The ongoing war in Ukraine is also leaving open wounds in the Cypriot economy, with many of our fellow citizens feeling the effects of the sanctions on Russia as a result of rising inflation and price inflation as a consequence of the war.
But some are experiencing it even more acutely as they are out of work because of it.[/B] For example, a significant number of workers in Limassol employed by companies of Russian interests.
The wave of redundancies is growing and the employees of these companies who were left without wages overnight are trying to organise themselves by demanding accrued wages and compensation. A petition has already been filed to form an association under the name of E.S.A.P.A. (European Sanctions Affecting People Association), represented by lawyer Ms. Maria Ioannidou.
"The aim of the Association is to find a fair solution for these people who, from one moment to another, found themselves exposed and marginalized by the same society that cheered them in other periods, as Russian companies were and are, undoubtedly, one of the main stones on which the Cypriot economy is based. None of the Cypriot residents in question expected or could have foreseen the sudden closure of the company, as it was a financially very lucrative and stable business," a letter to the House of Representatives states.
Initially Ms Ioannidou took over the cases of the approximately 150 workers who were left unemployed by the closure of two companies that were sanctioned, however this number seems to be growing.
"The union has a membership of around 50 people who have signed up and joined for foundation purposes. The total number of workers is 150 who have been affected by the sanctions imposed on two companies in Limassol. However, in the last few hours I have been approached by workers from two other companies, numbering around 50 people," Ms Ioannidou told the Cyprus Times.
According to figures cited by Ms Ioannidou, because of the sanctions imposed the number of companies in Limassol that have been closed down is approaching 100. "Today we also found out, there are 100 companies that have made a request to the state to pay workers." Asked how many workers we are talking about if the number of companies is so high, she expressed ignorance. She noted, however, that these are only the Russian companies that were closed down. To these should be added the employees of other companies that had Russian departments and have now been closed down.
"We are talking about too many people, we don't know what the number might be," said Ms Ioannidou, who is claiming compensation and accrued wages on behalf of the employees. "The sanctions vary depending on the company. There are Russian companies that because of the sanctions freeze everything and don't even pay wages and other companies on which the sanctions are partially imposed. There is a special committee that gives some money, upon approval to defrost money."
For now, only former employees of SCF Management Services (Cyprus) LTD, which was based in Limassol, and Sovcomflot's Cyprus LTD - of Russian governmental interests - which was one of the first companies to be put on the list by the first sanctions packages, are members of the union. The two companies were forced to cease operations from 15 May.
Out of work overnight 14 years later
In the financial department of Sovcomflot's Cyprus LTD for 14 years, Ms Andri Hadjirotis from Limassol found herself overnight out of work. "Our supervisors saw it coming. When the 5th package of sanctions was imposed, it became clear, in consultation with Moscow, that the company could not continue. Then the 6th package came and we were broken up," he tells the Cyprus Times.
"I will not judge whether it was right or wrong to impose the sanctions. This is a very big issue. I am also a refugee, a Varosian, I was expelled from my place and I can understand Ukrainian refugees. However, in Limassol there will be a huge problem. My company, let us say, was one of the best. They were trying until the end to bring money to pay us, since the accounts were abroad after 2013. Nevertheless, they remained in Cyprus."[/P]"And then? The calvary of finding a new job?" the question to Mrs Hadjirotis.
"A Golgotha, difficult conditions and take into account that I am 54 years old" explains Mrs Andri, realizing that there is already unemployment and surely employers prefer younger people who receive lower salaries. "At our age there are many obligations, running loans, for some people student loans for their children, for others housing loans. We have people who are very close to retirement and it's much worse. To understand this company has been in Cyprus for 30 years, we have people who have worked there for 29 years. And of course it's a chain, law firms are affected and not only" explains Mrs Chatzirotis.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
