Solidarity with Optilink Workers on Strike!
Support striking Optilink workers!
UPDATE 22/02/2025: Target extended to £1000 as strikes continues.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-fellow-workers-defend-their-labour-rights#start
On Thursday Feb 13 (2025) the entire staff of the digital agency Optilink Solutions in Nicosia Cyprus, walked out on an indefinite work stoppage, due to the arbitrary, sudden and illegal termination of employment of one of the employees.
On Tuesday Feb 18 the workforce organised a two-hour picket line outside the company’s premises. The neighbourhood shook with chants, slogans and songs of solidarity, and workers from nearby companies joined the demo!
The story so far: The digital agency unexpectedly, without any kind of notice nor warning, terminated the employment of a worker mere days after the whole staff collectively organised and notified management about a series of common demands. In fact, they specifically stated that asking for a raise was one of the reasons of the termination.
This is a blatant violation of labour rights, not only because the employee has completed the 3.5 months’ long trial period of employment (this specific length of the trial period was defined in a recent email by management, on the 10th of February), but, more importantly, due to the fact that the right of collective organising is legally and constitutionally protected in the Republic of Cyprus.
But the company has not stopped there. They are now threatening the strikers with disciplinary measures if they don’t return to work!
The staff is expressing their sincere apologies to all clients and partners for any inconvenience caused by these events, but the solidarity among them takes precedence, and the company and its management are solely responsible for any and all negative consequences resulting from this situation.
The context: This fight is the first wildcat strike in modern Cypriot history. It is part of a budding turn toward workplace organising. If you are worried about all the bad news you hear, here instead is some good news of people taking back their rights and standing up for themselves - together! Fellow workers and citizens around the world can express solidarity by supporting these fellow workers to defend their rights and maintain momentum as part of a potential wider shift towards getting a grip and taking a stand!
The ask: the staff are all without income and resources during this work stoppage, please contribute what you can and share this page to help them whilst they defend their rights and bring justice and resolution to this fight!
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-fellow-workers-defend-their-labour-rights