Wanting to prevent the worst, the Pancyprian Retail Trade Association issued a statement, warning that millions in losses will occur in the industry, in case the strike of carriers at the port of Limassol lasts for a long time.
Speaking to "F", the president of the association, Marios Antoniou, noted that PASYLE does not wish to enter into the dispute between the two parties, however he wanted to ring an alarm bell in the event that the whole dispute drags on in the long run and the products remain trapped in the port of Limassol, as he said. Characteristically, Mr. Antoniou said that companies in the trade sector import, almost daily, fresh products, which expire in a very short period of time.
Indicatively, he referred to fresh fruit, but also to meat. As he explained, the products in question are purchased by the companies and there is no possibility of either returning them or paying compensation. Therefore, if they break down, it will be a net loss for the business that paid for them.
Holidays are coming...
Secondly, the president of PASYLE underlined that we are entering the most commercial period of the year, both with Black Friday at the end of the month, and with the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Already, as he said, there are some delays in the receipt of the products. However, in the event that the strike continues, then retail companies will have a significant problem with their inventory, which they would normally have to receive within days. Inevitably, consumers will also be affected, who have either pre-ordered some products, or were waiting for their arrival in the market to rush to get them during the holiday season and Black Friday.
It is recalled that Christmas Eve is considered the most commercial day of the year, as well as the entire month of December the most commercial season, followed by August, due to the descent of tourists.
As for Black Friday, in Cyprus it did not have the impact that merchants might expect, as discounts do not exceed 25-30%, however, there is a mobility in the market, mainly for electronic products.
In the announcement issued yesterday by PASYLE, it calls on all competent parties to mediate, so that a problem does not arise in the supply chain. He notes that "as an Association, we call on all parties involved to show a spirit of cooperation and for logic to prevail, so that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached immediately and the smooth operation of the supply chain and business activity can be restored without delay."
PASYLE also warns in its announcement that "the smooth conduct of operations in the retail sector is critical, especially during the current period, when the market is entering the most important commercial phase of the year, in view of Black Friday and the Christmas season".
Indefinite abstention
It is recalled that the carriers of the Pancyprian Transport Guild have been on indefinite abstention from their duties since Monday morning. The decision was taken after evaluating the results of the consultations of the previous days. According to the announcement that had been issued, the problems concerning the Ministry of Transport remain unresolved, with the main issues related to the heights of the containers and the registration of the "bellows" type (Extendable Skeletal Semitrailers).
The problems
The Central Organizational Secretary of POVEK, Kyriakos Moustakas, listed the main points of friction:
(1) Tachographs: According to the carriers, if what was recommended by the Ministry of Labour is implemented, the issue could be resolved.
(2) Container heights & non-registration of bellows: These are the two main problems that are repeated in discussions with the Ministry of Transport.
(3) Container stay day charges: One of the central points of disagreement with Eurogate concerns the day of arrival of the ship. The company counts the day of arrival as a full billing day, even if the ferry docks at noon or later. "We ask that the day of arrival not be counted, because by the time the procedures are completed and the unloading begins, the day has been lost."
(4) Non-release of containers through no fault of the carrier. Often carriers are blocked at the exit of the port, even though they have all the legal documents from a customs broker and customs, because there are outstanding debts concerning the shipowner or agent. "The carrier is forced to pay charges that do not concern him, losing time and a day of work. This is unacceptable."
Carriers A are also thinking about it
It is recalled that yesterday the Pancyprian Trade Union of Transporters A' informed its members about an extraordinary General Assembly on the occasion of what has been developing in recent days. Specifically, the extraordinary General Assembly was expected to take place yesterday at 7 pm in Choirokoitia, while as underlined in the announcement, the issue that would concern the Assembly is the decision-making to abstain from work in support of the Trailer Transporters.
The Central Organizational Secretary of POVEK, Kyriakos Moustakas, said that the carriers raised issues that have no cost for the company, but would significantly help the operation of the transports and reduce the problems faced by professionals. Unfortunately, there was no sensitivity, he said.
