Filenews 18 July 2025
The Pancyprian Guild of Transporters A' (Trailers and Gravel Trucks), a member of the G.S.POVEK, in a letter to the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Yiannis Panagiotou, calls for an immediate response to its requests for changes in the use of tachographs, warning of dynamic measures in case of inaction.
The letter dated July 16, 2025 was drafted after a previous meeting at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, without, however, as reported, a satisfactory response from the Ministry of Labour, which is attributed the main responsibility for the issue.
The guild expresses disappointment because, as it notes, its positions were underestimated and the competent officials of the Inspection Department, although present at the meeting, did not offer solutions beyond the application of European directives. It should be noted that the Minister did not make use of his powers to resolve the problem, despite the fact that he is recognized as the person responsible for the matter.
Among the issues raised by the guild are:
- Lost driving time in the event of a traffic accident should not be considered a violation.
- The delays in the port areas and the loss of service time.
- The deteriorating traffic at the entrances of Nicosia and Limassol.
- The lack of parking and hygiene infrastructure for drivers.
- Unfair competition from categories of carriers exempt from the use of tachographs.
- The unequal working conditions between drivers who use tachographs or don't.
The guild also calls for consideration to consider the possibility of exempting Cyprus from the European obligation to use tachographs, based on its status as an island and divided state. Similar exceptions have already been granted, as he claims, to islands of other EU member states.
The letter concludes with a request for a meeting within a month to seek solutions. Otherwise, the Guild warns that it will proceed to Pancyprian General Assemblies, so that decisions can be taken for further actions.
