The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) has made a series of recommendations in relation to problems experienced by companies in connection with the crisis in the Middle East.
OEB notes that these problems are being experienced, for example, by businesses based or operating within the territory of the British Bases and having compulsorily suspended their activities, but that its recommendations are also aimed to help all businesses with their preparedness in the event of alarm sirens being activated.
OEB recommends the following:
Employee management
All issues can be resolved with goodwill and a spirit of cooperation between employers and employees. This is required by the labour institutions, the workplace culture and the country's work culture.
It goes without saying that contact and cooperation with the Guilds where and when they are active is the first measure for seeking commonly accepted solutions to specific problems or questions that may arise.
Indicative measures and/or agreed arrangements include the following:
- Use of paid annual leave
- Employee's absence from work with partial pay
- Remote work / teleworking / work from home
- Absence of the employee with pay and coverage of lost working time when he returns to work through the creation of a time share and in a manner to be agreed upon
- Agreed unpaid leave
In any case, the aim should be to preserve the income of affected workers to the greatest extent possible, without additional burden on businesses. It is understood that any arrangements described above should be mutually acceptable.
OEB's Department of Labour Relations and Social Policy is at the disposal of businesses for further guidance.
Basic Operational Preparedness Guidelines in the Event of Siren Activation
The President of OEB, George Pantelides , made a written public statement in which he addressed businesses, the media and citizens, emphasizing the need for calm and a return to the normal rhythm of everyday life.
Given that, rightly, state authorities have given the public instructions on self-protection measures in the event of an alarm, OEB said it considers it useful to communicate to businesses basic, simple and useful guidelines and preparedness actions in the event of sirens being activated or other emergency warnings.
The guidance has been prepared by OEB's Occupational Safety & Health Service, to which any interested party may contact for any relevant matters.
Preparation Actions
Businesses are urged to consider the following basic preparedness measures:
- Designation of responsible persons for the management of emergency incidents.
- Designation of safe protection areas within the premises (e.g. basements or interior spaces without windows).
- Informing staff about emergency exits and assembly points.
- Ensuring that first aid kits and fire safety equipment are available and functional.
- Maintaining an updated employee contact list.
What to do when a warning siren sounds
In case of sirens or other official warning:
- Work is immediately suspended.
- Personnel calmly move to the nearest safe area (shelter, basement or indoor space without windows).
- Personnel are moving away from windows and glass surfaces.
- Everyone remains in the protected area until instructions are given by the competent authorities.
During the alarm
- Keep calm and avoid panic.
- Follow the instructions of the company managers.
- Help colleagues who may need support.
- Remain in the safe area until the alarm officially ends.
After the alarm ends
- A staff count is carried out.
- First aid is provided where required.
- Facilities are inspected for potential hazards or damage.
- Return to work when it is ensured that the premises are safe.
Important reminder
In the event of an emergency, businesses and their personnel should exclusively follow the instructions of the competent state authorities.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
