In a statement issued today, PDASO said that the meeting discussed issues such as the ATA, the National Minimum Wage, the 12% penalty on early pensions, the Reform of the Judiciary, as well as specific issues such as the privatisation of semi-public utilities, the targeting of trade unionists, the EEO, the employment policy of foreign labour, the tax reform, the way of appointing independent officials and board members of semi-municipalities and the importance of transparency of institutions and meritocracy/fair treatment was stressed.
According to PDASO, Mr. Christodoulides said that appointments will be made in a meritocratic and transparent manner, through an open call and judgement by Advisory Bodies, which will consist of members of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary and civil society, which will evaluate applications and make recommendations to the government, which will have to justify any deviations from the recommendation.
In relation to the ATA, Mr. Christodoulides took a positive position, PDASO said, after taking into account the growth rate of the economy in 2023 and added that "with the current data, it is not possible to return to 100% but perhaps staggered to 60-70-80%, with an emphasis on the low-paid."
Regarding the National Minimum Wage, Mr. Christodoulides said, according to POASO, that a positive step was taken with its legalization, however, it should be linked to working hours, while on the 12% on early pensions, "there was a positive response from Mr. Christodoulides, who said that an actuarial study should be carried out to ensure the sustainability of the Social Security Fund."
In addition, PDASO said that Nicos Christodoulides clearly opposed the privatisation of semi-governmental organisations and favoured their modernisation, so that they could operate in a competitive environment, as well as advocating the reform of the judiciary, saying that without it, foreign businessmen would not trust foreign businessmen to invest in Cyprus.
Finally, he undertook to study a proposal by PDASO so that contractors who undertake public tenders and projects are required to have signed Collective Agreements with employees.
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