Paphos bus drivers issue ultimatum

Bus drivers in Paphos have warned officials that if no positive developments take place on Monday to resolve a wage dispute, they plan to drive their buses outside the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

OSYPA bus drivers in Paphos have been going on strike on and off recently, complaining that they have not been paid for the month of November. They also fear they may not get paid in December, including their holiday bonus.

Drivers have said publicly they were not being treated fairly either by the government or OSYPA, the company which took over in 2010 and acquired a new fleet over the years.

OSYPA has been negotiating with the government on additional state subsidies in order to pay drivers, while the Transport Ministry has been making efforts to settle the dispute.

Back in May, Transport Minister Vasiliki Anastasiades contemplated a possible requisition of the bus fleet, in order for the bus routes to resume in Paphos. Thousands of people, mainly students but also workers, visitors, and elderly citizens are reportedly being affected by the strikes in the western town.

A similar strike in Limassol was suspended last week after Larnaca also pulled back, leaving Paphos to wage a battle in the capital if no developments take place on Monday.

One of the main questions in the dispute is whether bus companies have resolved pending issues that affect their ability to pay drivers, following a number of organisational changes required by the government to qualify for state subsidies.