**NICOSIA, Cyprus** – A grim week for Cyprus’s construction industry has seen two workers suffer catastrophic falls, one resulting in fatality, igniting a firestorm of criticism from the PEO trade union regarding inadequate workplace safety protocols and systemic oversights. The incidents have amplified long-standing concerns about the welfare of labourers, particularly those from third countries, in a sector grappling with persistent occupational hazards.
On Tuesday, a 43-year-old construction worker, a national from a third country, tragically lost his life after falling from an apartment block under construction in Lakatamia, Nicosia. The incident cast a dark shadow over the island’s building boom, prompting immediate condemnation from the PEO. Just hours earlier, on Tuesday morning, a separate fall in Paphos saw a 21-year-old construction worker sustain critical injuries after plummeting approximately 11 metres from a rooftop. Both incidents have triggered thorough investigations by the police and the Department of Labour Inspection.
The PEO has been unequivocal in its assessment of the Lakatamia tragedy, asserting that it was not merely an unfortunate accident but a predictable outcome of profound systemic failures. The union pointed a finger at chronic understaffing within the labour inspection department, which they argue severely compromises its ability to conduct effective oversight. Furthermore, PEO highlighted what they perceive as a pervasive indifference among some employers towards implementing robust safety measures, suggesting that the pursuit of ephemeral profit margins has led to the "devaluation of human life." "This tragic event is not an ‘unfortunate event’," the union stated emphatically. "It stems from inadequate safety measures and reflects employer indifference and the devaluation of human life for temporary profit."
While the circumstances surrounding the fall of the younger worker in Paphos are still under active investigation, authorities are meticulously examining whether all requisite safety provisions were in place and diligently adhered to. The probe is reportedly considering a range of possibilities, including potential foul play, mechanical failure of equipment, or outright violations of established safety regulations. The proximity of these two severe incidents within a short timeframe has underscored the inherent dangers prevalent in the construction sector, where falls from heights remain a leading cause of serious injury and fatalities.
In the wake of these harrowing events, the PEO has intensified its advocacy for immediate and substantial improvements in workplace safety. The union is calling for a more systematic approach to worker training, with a particular emphasis on accelerated safety and health education for younger and migrant labourers who may be more vulnerable due to language barriers or a lack of familiarity with local regulations. A critical point raised by PEO is the observed correlation between workplaces lacking trade union representation and a higher incidence of occupational accidents, suggesting that organised labour plays a vital role in safeguarding workers' rights and wellbeing. The union's stance underscores a growing demand for a more proactive and stringent regulatory environment, ensuring that economic development does not come at the unacceptable cost of human lives and well-being.