Postal service complaints mount

COMPLAINTS about delayed or lost mail are continuing to mount, with the TRNC Post Office now blaming the lack of a 2018 government budget, in addition to staff shortages, for the ongoing problem. As reported by Cyprus Today, the Post Office has already advised people to use registered post for mail going to or coming from the TRNC — although admitting that there are still delays with tracked parcels.

The number of complaints peaked over the last two Christmas periods and shows no sign of easing.

Post Office chief Sövüda Tabak said she had been visited by expats and others with complaints about delayed or missing mail, and believed lack of staff was to blame.

“The main problem is at Girne post office, where only two men have been working overtime to deliver priority post throughout the district, to Çatalköy, Esentepe, Alsancak and Lapta,” she said, explaining that there should be at least four delivery personnel, but they were currently unable to recruit more people until this year’s budget was approved.

“We are doing our best in all areas but are working mainly with staff on overtime, which is something that needs to change as soon as possible.”

Ms Tabak added: “I recommend that people pay for a box at a post office which allows mail to be directly placed in it for their collection rather than it having to be delivered to their homes, which seems to be the main issue in delayed deliveries.

“Many people have been expecting specific letters or parcels for three months or more but we haven’t been informed [by Turkey] of any problems with incoming post, and if they are not registered with a tracking number there is no way of knowing where they are.”

Ms Tabak urged people with complaints about postal deliveries to contact her department on (0392) 228 5982 or email info.posta@ kamu.ct.tr.