Filenews 21 September 2020
In an indefinite strike which started today at 8 a.m., taxi drivers at Larnaca airport protested against a change in the way their work system works.
In a statement, Kyriakos Siakalis, one of the drivers in charge at Larnaca airport, said that "today taxi drivers went on an indefinite strike on the occasion of an announcement by the President of the Licensing Authority to change the way the working system works at Larnaca airport. For 40 years taxi drivers have been working with a specific system, with alternativity, with taxis divided into two shifts making long journeys and routes within the city".
He explained that "the President of the Licensing Authority wants taxi drivers to go to the airport, get a number, get on a ramp and make trips that fall on everyone, i.e. either a long route or within the city. In this way taxi drivers will work from 7 a.m. until the same time the next day, without being able to go home for food or rest, which we find unacceptable."
He also said that "a driver cannot work this system for 24 hours and make a living. Now we don't make more money than they want to impose on us, but drivers' hours are less and work more restful."
Asked whether the new system would help taxi drivers with regard to illegal taxis that literally take their jobs "and bite our mouth", Mr. Siakalis wondered "what is the job of the workers in the Department of Road Transport who are at the airport every day. Because those responsible are not doing anything to solve illegal taxis and rental cars that carry passengers without a licence and without paying what is due to the state," he wondered.
Asked if the new system was imposed on taxi drivers without talking to them, he replied that "the President of the Licensing Authority wants to enforce it that way. In a meeting we had with him he told us that he wants to implement the system he wants."
He also stated that "in our recommendation to be supervised by people of the Department of Road Transport, the system that has existed at Larnaca airport for 40 years and in case it is not satisfactory then to change with the new system, "the President of the Licensing Authority refused and told us to work my system first and in case it does not work to go back to the old one".
Mr. Siakalis also said that "the strike that started today is indefinite, we are not transporting any passengers from the airport" and added that "if those responsible come together to discuss and give us assurances that will satisfy us, then we are prepared to solve the strike and serve the people".
It is noted that from this morning taxi drivers at Larnaca airport after travelling in their cars to the main streets of the city, then returned to their base and blocked the roundabout of the airport for a few minutes.
Since the morning both at Larnaca airport and in various parts of the central network of the city there was a strong presence of the Police in an effort not to create a traffic problem.
Source: eyenews / CYPE
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