Filenews 7 July 2025
A 24-hour strike took place today, from 5 a.m., of the Transporters of all categories of vehicles that are obliged to use the tachograph.
The decision of the Boards of Directors of the Guild's branches for dynamic measures was confirmed and supported during the Pancyprian General Assembly of Carriers A' that took place last week. The aim is to put pressure on those responsible for the problems caused by the use of tachographs.
According to an announcement by POVEK, the places where the protests will take place are the ports, Limassol and Larnaca, the quarries and the cement plant.
As noted, they will be peaceful manifestations of abstinence from work and will not obstruct traffic for the rest of the world.
The Guild, in its announcement, states that the primary problem is the times that according to the legislation each carrier is obliged to apply and which is impossible to achieve due to the new difficult conditions that have been created with the traffic issue that has recently arisen.
It is noted that the times, which are limited to such an extent due to tachographs and the times that the contractors operate the ports, are not consistent with the employability of the drivers' vehicles, resulting in an additional burden on the drivers' employment times.
In addition to the issue of tachographs, the Carriers report that they also face other problems, such as policing and the complaints they receive about issues that the Carriers themselves point out to the competent Ministries in order to be corrected.
In summary, the Carriers are requesting a change in the legislation on the heights and lengths of trucks, an exemption from the obligation to install condom beams on the sides of the bellows trolleys.
The strike is a disproportionate measure, says OEB
Moreover, the OEB characterizes the strike of Carriers A as a disproportionate measure with unforeseen consequences on the supply chain, on the operation of businesses and on the economy in general.
In a statement, it states that the serious issue of the lack of drivers has been of great concern to the Federation for a long time, as it significantly affects the operation of many sectors of the economy (bus companies, logistics companies, business fleets, distributors, etc.), and for this reason coordinated efforts are constantly being made, in cooperation with the competent bodies and at the highest level, to solve the problem in a permanent and substantial way.
"We understand the difficulties and problems that exist in the sector, however, the choice of strike mobilizations is a disproportionate measure with unforeseen consequences on the supply chain, on the operation of businesses and by extension on the economy in general," he says.
OEB calls on POBEK and the professional hauliers to reconsider their decision and avoid the implementation of the strike.
"The continuation of the dialogue in a spirit of cooperation and in a climate of mutual respect is the only way to find meaningful solutions, without jeopardizing economic stability and the smooth functioning of the market," he said.
CNA
