Trade unions protest temporary labor practices in the construction sector

Construction labor unions PEO, OVOIEK-SEK, and DEOK have issued a joint statement raising concerns over the growing use of temporary, agency-provided workers in the construction sector. The unions link this issue to violent incidents that occurred last Tuesday in the village of Xylophagou. According to the unions, this practice violates the Law on Temporary Agency Work (N. 174/1 of 2012), which explicitly forbids temporary labor in the construction and tourism industries. Representatives met with Minister of Labor Marinos Mousiouttas to express their opposition, claiming that workers are being treated as tools, which leads to poor working conditions and the circumvention of collective agreements and social insurance obligations. The unions allege that some employers are creating unregulated environments on construction sites to avoid legal and financial responsibilities. They have warned that they are prepared to take dynamic measures if the government fails to address their grievances. The Minister has been officially notified of these demands and the ongoing unrest.