Trade unions have accused hotels in Paphos of pressuring workers to give up their union memberships or risk losing their jobs. This comes amidst upcoming negotiations for collective agreements and a new policy allowing more foreign workers, potentially jeopardizing job security for local employees.
What are the allegations against some hotels in Paphos by trade unions?
Trade unions allege that hotels in Paphos are coercing workers into renouncing union affiliations under the threat of job loss. This intimidation comes ahead of crucial negotiations for collective agreements and coincides with a policy increase allowing more third-country nationals in the workforce, potentially undermining local employees’ rights and job security.
Allegations of Workplace Bullying Arise
Trade unions have sounded the alarm on Monday concerning the alleged coercion and intimidation tactics employed by some hotels in Paphos. Workers are reportedly being pressured to renounce their union affiliations if they wish to secure their jobs. This development comes as a prelude to the forthcoming negotiations for collective agreements.
Ministry of Labour Receives Formal Complaint
Miltiades Miltiadou, the general secretary of the hotel branch for Sek union, has taken a firm stand against these alleged practices. A letter, bearing the signatures of representatives from both Sek and Peo unions, was dispatched to the ministry of labour demanding action. They have called for the revocation of work permits granted to certain hotels, which they accuse of undermining local employees’ rights.
The Underlying Strategy
The root of this controversy, as Miltiadou explains, lies in the hotels’ apparent objective to replace local staff with third-country nationals. This strategy not only threatens job security for local workers but also points towards a potential exploitation of foreign workers, who may be subjected to lower wages.
A New Policy Raises Tensions
Tensions between trade unions and employers have been further exacerbated by a recent cabinet decision. In March, the threshold for employment of third-country nationals in some business sectors was increased. The limit was raised from 30% to an eyebrow-raising 50% of the total workforce. This government policy has been met with disdain from unions, who criticize it as both unfair and ill-conceived.
A Crucial Time for Collective Agreements
The timing of these events is particularly critical, as existing collective agreements are set to expire at the end of the year. Negotiations are expected to commence soon, and these issues will no doubt cast a long shadow over the discussions.
A Call for Fair Treatment
The plea from the unions is clear: they advocate for the fair treatment of all workers, irrespective of their nationality. There’s a collective push for an environment where workers can freely choose to join or remain part of a union without fearing retaliation or job loss.
The situation unfolding in Paphos serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between labor rights and the economic strategies of businesses. With negotiations on the horizon, all eyes will be on how these disputes are resolved and what it means for the future of labor relations in the hospitality sector.
Quick Recap
- Trade unions allege that hotels in Paphos are coercing workers into renouncing union affiliations under the threat of job loss, potentially undermining local employees’ rights and job security.
- Trade unions have sounded the alarm concerning the alleged coercion and intimidation tactics employed by some hotels in Paphos, as negotiations for collective agreements are forthcoming.
- Representatives from Sek and Peo unions have sent a letter to the ministry of labour demanding action and the revocation of work permits granted to hotels accused of undermining local employees’ rights.
- Hotels in Paphos are aiming to replace local staff with third-country nationals, which threatens job security for local workers and potentially leads to the exploitation of foreign workers.
- Tensions between trade unions and employers have been exacerbated by a recent cabinet decision to increase the threshold for employment of third-country nationals, with negotiations for collective agreements approaching.
