Public sector unions in the occupied north staged a general strike today, marching on the “parliament” building in protest at a decree issued by the UBP-YDP-DP administration freezing cost-of-living allowances, according to Yeni Düzen.
Protesters gathered at three points before marching to the assembly, where police had deployed extensive security measures. Brief clashes broke out between a group of protesters and police outside the building, after which demonstrators linked arms and advanced towards police barriers, chanting “Government resign” and “Shoulder to shoulder against fascism.” A group of protesters attempted to break through the barriers and enter the assembly. EL-SEN President Ahmet Tuğcu intervened, asking police to move the barriers further back. CTP assembly members joined the protesters outside in a show of support.
Speaking at the demonstration, KTOEÖS President Selma Eylem directed her remarks at the administration. “We have come to speak to those who do not hesitate to turn our country into a swamp but fear their own people,” she said. “Government resign. We are here — workers, labourers, society, the people. Enough. You will not be able to destroy us. We will resist to the end.”
Güven Bengihan, President of the Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants Union (KTAMS) and KİEF, said the unions’ goal is to prevent the bill from passing through the “parliament” and that the struggle would continue with indefinite strikes. “We will win not by begging but by resisting,” he said.
The Turkish Cypriot Teachers Union and the Turkish Cypriot Secondary Education Teachers Union were also on strike today, resulting in the cancellation of secondary school and high school examinations.
The dispute escalated last Monday when 62 unions, organisations and associations took to the streets. “Police” responded with pepper spray and water cannon, and protesters broke through barriers and entered the assembly building. The administration set up negotiations, but no agreement was reached. The “parliament” convened late at night, with ruling party members attempting to pass the legislation. “House Speaker” Ziya Öztürkler said he would not call for the “parliament” to open, stating that time should be given for dialogue. The unions suspended their strikes.
Hours later, however, the administration implemented the cost-of-living freeze by decree, bypassing the assembly entirely. Administration leader Ünal Üstel subsequently left the occupied north for Baku.
Last Thursday, CTP and the unions applied to the “Constitutional Court” seeking an interim order against the decree. A hearing was held today but the case was adjourned to 9 April to allow the administration to be heard. Separately, union officials summoned to give statements to “police” in connection with last Monday’s protests had charges read against them today.
Read more: