By Nicolas Peter Kaparti
The consultations on the labour dispute between trade unions and employers' organisations on the ATA are turning into a tough poker game, with the mediating Minister of Labour, Kyriakos Kousios, being asked to find a way out of the impasse.
Kyriakos Kousios entered into a new round of consultations this week and on Monday held a joint meeting with the guilds SSE, PEO and DEOK, in an attempt to find a middle solution which he will put before employers' organisations KEBE-OEB, next Friday.
Moreover, as =AT2G2MTC58bC_0Ipi5vPBEZOeaues2hgYYtG1VWlYgUYphY4xkcUbT4CfliDCiDJrhNXV7m2BG7AH9ZtBaenqX6iOoniXWuAVct-x5nh6nu4XbUlkW4pBAeLnsVD2Y6dJiNrGHkCM2V9Yi6MtVmrnDjr6ehYaRKD6a-rYMbMF15XiEsQbj0Blg]was reported in an earlier Cyprus Times report, despite the fact that both sides are trying to keep their cards close to their chest in order to gain ground, however the proposal to gradually restore the ATA to 100% is tentatively on the table. This proposal envisages the implementation of the ATA from January 2023 at 60-70% with the prospect of a full return to 100% over 2-4 years.
A source from the trade unions told the Cyprus Times that for their part they insist that whatever deal is locked in, the reversion of the tariff to 100% should be taken for granted until its expiry.
[/P] A source from the trade unions told the Cyprus Times that they insist that whatever deal is locked in, the reversion of the tariff to 100% should be taken for granted until its expiry. However, according to the same source, Mr Kousios conveyed to the trade unions that the employers do not agree with this approach and that they are adamant.[/P]Denial tactics
A relevant source explained to the Cyprus Times that "denial" tactics on both sides is a common tactic used in consultations on labour issues, because if one side accepts from the outset the terms put on the table, it automatically neutralises its negotiating cards.
Therefore, it is estimated that for the two sides to reach a joint meeting, one or two more rounds of consultations will have to take place and when conditions are ripe then the Minister of Labour can proceed with a mediation proposal.
Pessimism of Kousios for a consensual agreement on the ATA
Indicative are the reports of the Minister of Labour on the course of the consultations so far, during his address to yesterday's Pancyprian Conference of the ICFTU.
Specifically, Mr. Kousios expressed pessimism, at least at this stage, about reaching a consensual agreement on the ATA, while calling on the social partners to engage in a dialogue that will lead "to a mutually acceptable solution with consensual approaches".
For his part, IOC President Joseph Anastasiou said that "the ATA should not only not be abolished or weakened but should be extended to cover not only minimum wage workers but also those who are currently not covered by collective bargaining arrangements."
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
