NICOSIA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot trade unionists celebrated May Day on Wednesday, demanding re-regulation of working conditions which were largely deregulated after the 2013 economic crisis.
Left wing PEO Trade Union held a joint celebration of Labour Day with eight trade unions of the estranged Turkish Cypriot community, jointly demanding a solution reunifying the eastern Mediterranean island.
After holding a rally in central Eleftherias (Liberty) Square in Nicosia, leftist workers crossed the line dividing the Cypriot capital since 1974 and joined Turkish Cypriot workers in a soccer field in the buffer zone, which used to be the trench of the Venetian Medieval Walls surrounding the old city.
They heard speeches from their leaders in support of a reunification of the island in a federal state settlement.
PEO leader Pambis Kiritsis said this year's celebrations were dedicated to the demand for full regulation of working conditions.
He said his trade union will ask for the introduction of a law making it obligatory for employers to apply the provisions of collective agreements.
Collective bargaining, which was the practice since Cyprus became independent in 1960, was largely abandoned on the demand of international lenders who bailed out Cyprus in 2013, but also as a result of extensive unemployment which topped 16 percent as businesses were closed down or laid off tens of thousands of workers.
Latest official figures showed unemployment rate to be down to 7 percent.
Kyritsis said conditions now allowed trade unionists to promote their demand for making collective bargaining obligatory.
The trade unionists put their demands in a resolution to be handed to the Minister of Labor.
Right wing SEK trade union held an indoors rally, which was addressed by Labor Minister Zeta Emeilianidou.
She told workers that the government was committed to continuing its efforts to eradicate unemployment and strengthen workers' rights and address demands for dignified working conditions and social welfare.
