The Congress was addressed in its opening session by the President of the Republic, a representative of the President of the Parliament and a representative from GSEE (Greece). The Minister of Labour and Social Security, representatives of political parties, national trade unions, employer’s associations and government departments were also present during the official opening of the congress.
Opening the Congress, the General Secretary of DEOK Diomides Diomidous said that the 16th Congress of the Federation meets under difficult conditions and extremely negative climate and perspective due to the severe economic and social crisis experienced by the island. Nevertheless, he stressed that the clear message of the Congress “50 years of demands and struggle” determines with the most powerful way the future course and action of the DEOK. He also stressed that serious errors and omissions led Cyprus and its economy in difficult developments dragging the financial system and almost the entire economy to the brink of bankruptcy and our country in a painful loan agreement and readjustment program with the European Stability Mechanism and the Troika. The DEOK General Secretary also criticized the European partners who demonstrated punishment attitude upon the people and the society of Cyprus rather than showing solidarity and understanding towards the already tested by the crisis Cypriot people.
The Secretary General of DEOK demanded the immediate convening of the Labour Advisory Board and the National Employment Committee for agreeing and signing a national social protocol ensuring priority and high percentage of employment in the local labour force in all sectors of the economy. In these highly critical and tragic circumstances, he added, we need a strategic planning for disengagement from the Memorandum of Understanding and for building a new model of growth and job creation. Finally, he called the unemployed workers and retirees to be awake and he set emphasised top priorities of the Federation such as to protect the Provident Funds from the banks bail-in, to promote and enact legislation to protect home ownership and extend the payment period of the unemployment allowance from six months to twelve or eighteen months.
In his address to the Congress, the President of the Republic Mr Nicos Anastasiades referred to the serious problems afflicting the Cypriot economy especially after the decision of the Euro group on March 25th for the haircut of the deposits, and he said that the government is working on a restart plan of the economy. He also stressed that he will respect labour rights and he will make every effort to ensure fully the Provident Funds of the employees in the two banks facing bail in restructuring. He was particularly critical for the responsibilities that led to the collapse of the economy, stressing that those responsible would face criminal, civil and political persecution.
In his address, the President of the Parliament Mr Giannakis Omirou said that the DEOK, in its 50 years of life and action, is recognised in the conscience of Cypriot workers as a militant and pioneer bastion of social, labour and national claims, initiatives and struggles. He underlined that for the current tragic situation of the Cypriot economy, especially in the banking sector, there are great responsibilities and added that it is people demand to proceed immediately with the charge of responsibilities and bring those responsible to justice. He described the Euro group’s decision of 25th of March as predatory because it imposed substantial exhaustion of the two ‘lungs’ (major banks) with which the Cypriot financial system breathes. The President of the Parliament also said that our position has always been and remains firmly European. Insisting on a people’s Europe, of solidarity and social cohesion we will fight along with the other European people to change the current unfair and socially unacceptable attitudes of the dominant hegemonic cycles of the EU.
The 16th Congress of DEOK approved the Activities Report for the years 2009-2012. Also, it approved the principles and positions of the Action Plan 2013-2016 submitted to the Congress and related with the future trade action demands of the workers and the labour movement concerning the protection and safeguarding of their social and economic rights.
Finally, the Congress elected the leadership of the Federation for the next four years. Specifically, without opposition candidacies were re-elected: Diomides Diomidous General Secretary, Iosif Anastasiou Deputy General Secretary, Antonis Antoni Financial Planning Secretary, Constantinos Eleftheriou Human Resource Secretary and Andreas Antoniou Trade Union Development and Action Secretary. The five officers will constitute the new Executive Secretariat of the DEOK. The Congress also elected eight members of the Central Council: Nikos Anastasiou, Mary Vasilakka, Eleni Pittali, Asterios Paidis, Stelios Hadjielia, Anthi Demetriou, Loukas Papacharalambous and Nikos Angelides. The other members of the Central Council were elected by and represent, the 5 Democratic Worker-Employee Unions affiliates of the DEOK (the General Secretaries and 3 members from each union). Members of the Central Council are also the 4 District Secretaries of the Federation.
Article provided by DEOK
