Newsroom
Engine drivers at the Larnaca Port have begun a 24-hour warning strike, citing concerns over safety and issues related to the unloading process of cargo. The protest started early Monday morning, with workers blocking the port’s entrance for about 30 minutes, halting operations at one of Cyprus’ busiest ports.
The engineers, who are responsible for loading bulk cargo like grain from ships, say that the current procedures are not only putting their safety at risk but also causing delays in the unloading process. According to the workers, these delays are leading to financial losses, as cargo is not being unloaded as efficiently as it should be.
“We’re losing revenue because we’re being delayed for hours. If the cargo isn’t properly unloaded, we lose out on our wages for the day,”
“If things don’t change, we’re planning to take further action next week,” warned one of the protesting engineers. The workers are threatening to escalate the strike to a 48-hour blockade by next Monday, March 31, if their demands are not addressed. They’re pushing for a meeting with the Port Authority to discuss issues with both the unloading process and the unsafe working conditions at the port.
The protest has caused significant disruptions, with a long queue of trucks and vehicles waiting to enter the port. Police were called to the scene, but no major incidents were reported.
Driver Nikos Vlasiou, a spokesperson for the protesters, explained that the issues at Larnaca Port have been ongoing ever since the Port Authority took control. “The roads inside the port are in poor condition, and the unloading process is inefficient,” he said. “We often have to go through the same steps two or three times to get the cargo unloaded.”
Despite submitting formal complaints in February and March, the engineers claim they’ve yet to receive any response from the Port Authority.
Vlasiou emphasized the toll these delays are taking on the workers' income. “We’re losing revenue because we’re being delayed for hours. If the cargo isn’t properly unloaded, we lose out on our wages for the day,” he said. He also highlighted the safety risks, citing dangerous conditions with both the cranes and the deteriorating road network within the port.
The workers have made it clear that the strike is a warning, and while they will return to work on Wednesday, March 26, the threat of a longer 48-hour strike looms. If no action is taken, the workers plan to move forward with an indefinite strike starting on Monday, April 7.
Around 80 carriers are said to be affected by the ongoing issues at the port, and the workers are holding firm on their demands for change. They are calling for immediate attention to their concerns, urging the Port Authority to act before the situation escalates further.
