In "harsh realities that unfortunately prove that the government's policies fail to defend society", AKEL MP Andreas Kavkalias referred to in his speech at the plenary session of the Parliament during the debate on the State Budget for 2022.
Mr. Kafkalias noted as such, "the widening of social inequalities, the deterioration of the position of workers, the deregulation of labour relations, the negative impact that Cyprus has on energy poverty, the large number of citizens facing serious material deprivation, the deadlocks that drown the young generation and the dignity of the elderly who are being tested".
He added that "an extension of these policies are the budgets, which obviously do not provide solutions and are not capable of reversing the negative data and absorbing the pressure on society".
The AKEL MP said that "the conditions in the economy and society certainly carry the effects of the pandemic and the economic crisis of recent years, but at the same time bear the stamp of neoliberal government policies that have led to a violent redistribution of the wealth produced, lowering the standard of living of the many, as opposed to the few and privileged, who have increased their profits and incomes".
He said that "in these circumstances it is imperative to adopt institutional and legislative measures to support the position of workers while the overriding priority is the implementation of collective agreements, which determine the minimum wage and other benefits of workers".
Referring to the issue of teleworking in connection with the pandemic, the AKEL MP called on "the executive and the competent ministry to elaborate and submit a bill which ensures that teleworking does not adversely affect the employment conditions of workers".
It recommended that, among other things, "it should include regulations which institutionalise the right of workers to disconnect from work at the end of working time, ensure fair pay, limitation of working time, work-life balance, physical and mental health."</BB-8
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Sourcehttps://cyprustimes.com/politiki/i-...stei-tin-koinonia-dilose-o-antreas-kaykalias/
