Troubles in the hotel industry, as well as the construction sector, have been smoothed over, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou said on Wednesday, after a cabinet meeting.
Days of unrest in the former in addition to the flare up in the concrete industry, had preceded his comments.
Panayiotou addressed the “return to normality” in the production of ready-mixed concrete, saying it had been effected through the consecutive signing of the collective agreement by a significant number of companies that cover the large majority of workers in the sector.
Concrete supply has been restored to over 90 per cent and the slowdown in construction is rapidly being reversed, the minister added.
“The resumption of concrete production and supply ensures employment levels in the construction industry, which according to available data have remained stable over the past period, with no change in registered unemployment,” Panayiotou said.
The minister also tackled the unrest in the hotel industry, saying that “stability in [that sector] is confirmed, through the completion of the internal procedures in the employers’ associations and trade unions [and] the ratification of the renewal of the collective agreement by all parties, in principle.”
The renewal of the collective agreement of the hotel industry was set until the end of 2027, and will take place on Thursday.
“The restoration of normality in construction and the confirmation of stability in tourism highlight the need for collective responsibility to maintain labour peace,” the minister said.
“We invest in unity for the success of the country and we expect that everyone will contribute constructively [towards] cooperation of workers, employers and the state,” he added.
