Fifteen former employees of Kition Ocean Holdings, who were dismissed on 31 July 2024, are demanding roles in newly announced projects at Larnaca Marina, according to a statement released on Thursday.
The workers claim they were transferred to the Larnaca-Famagusta Development Company (ANETEL) on 28 June for a temporary period, pending political decisions on the development project’s future. They allege they were pressured to sign acceptance documents without proper consultation.
The group states that promises made by the Transport and Labour Ministers on 3 June to discuss their future employment were not honoured. They argue this prevented them from seeking alternative work.
Despite ministerial assurances, the employees say they were unexpectedly terminated on 31 July, before any political decisions were finalised. They note that the Transport Minister subsequently announced the immediate commencement of works at Larnaca Marina.
“This left the 15 of us, breadwinners with many financial obligations, to look for work in the middle of August, which is impossible,” the dismissed employees said.
They asked: “How did the Government proceed with our dismissal before any final political decisions were made about the project? Especially when the announced works at the Larnaca Marina largely concern the field of work of many of those dismissed.”
They are calling for their integration into the new projects or, failing that, temporary employment or fair compensation.
“If the employment of all of us is not feasible, we at least request the temporary employment of those who will not be included in the new projects for a reasonable period or fair compensation so we can find new employment. It is worth noting that several of our colleagues are on low salaries, which makes the situation even more pressing and serious.”
The employees report having met with local political figures, including Larnaca’s mayor and MPs, as well as the President of the House of Representatives and DISY, Anita Demetriou.
“Everyone showed understanding for our demands. We await the same response from the Ministry of Transport and the Government,” they noted.
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