Driving test examiners go on strike

DRIVING test examiners and staff responsible for processing driving licence applications went on strike in Girne and Lefkoşa on Friday last week to demand the introduction of a system enabling them to work part-time from home.

As local Covid-19 infections increased, the strike was followed by an announcement from Lefkoşa Tukish Municipality that many of its employees would begin operating a rota of working alternative days in their usual locations and online from home while manual workers have a shorter working day, from 7am until 12.

“This system will be tested for a period to minimise the infection risk and will then be assessed,” a municipality statement said.

The General Workers’ Union (Ada-Sen) backed the demand by driving test examiners and licence application staff for a similar home-office rota.

“We believe that such rotational working minimises health risks and creates a safer working environment,” Ada-Sen head Kağan Mındıkoğlu said, as frustrated members of the public tried to obtain or renew driving licences or faced last-minute cancellation of driving tests.

Driving School Workers’ Cooperative head Barış Tilki called on the government to find a way of ending further strike action, saying: “The authorities should think of the people instead of fighting each other.

“We are being dragged into long-term chaos . . . People are already suffering because of Covid-19 and striking makes it even worse.”