NICOSIA, May 1 (Xinhua) — Cypriot trade unions and parties canceled traditional Labor Day parades and celebrations on Friday, as coronavirus restrictions are two days from being eased.

However, parties and trade unions issued declarations commending the contribution of frontline health professionals and the workers in general in managing to contain the spread of COVID-19.

They also mentioned that workers were the most affected by the lockdown imposed more than one month ago and demanded action to alleviate their losses.

Cypriot Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance Zeta Emilianidou, who had announced grants for people out of work due to the restrictions, said the government’s aim is to ensure no one loses his job.

“With the support schemes we have announced both for employees and businesses, our aim is that no one gets fired, spreading a blanket of protection over everyone who finds themselves in a difficult position today,” she added.

Emilianidou said that though Labor Day was marked in unprecedented conditions, it highlighted the need and duty to protect workers and their rights.

Despite making it mandatory for businesses not to fire workers to be entitled to government financial assistance, unemployment went considerably up in March, when containment measures began to be widely introduced.

This was mainly due to the prolongation of the unemployment status of people working in the tourist business.

According to Eurostat statistics published on Thursday, unemployment in Cyprus increased to 6.7 percent, up from 5.8 percent in February.

For Cyprus, May 1 also marked the anniversary of its accession to the European Union 16 years ago, which was hailed in statements by pro-European parties as a historic event.

A statement by the Foreign Ministry said the accession in 2004 was a watershed event for Cypriot history.

 

 

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