Labour Inspectors Symbolic 10-minute Work Stoppage

NICOSIA - Government labour inspectors have announced a 10-minute work stoppage to protest a violent attack on one of their colleagues by a foreman at a company in Nicosia.

"It is not the first time inspectors have been attacked, it happens in Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos...there are criminal penalties for preventing an inspector from entering a workplace," said a Labour ministry spokesman.

Inspectors have the power to bring police with them, but the ministry prefers to appeal for cooperation from employers.

"Our role is to ensure the safety of workers. It's discouraging when you see so many work-related accidents that could have been avoided. We want employers to see us as colleagues, people who are trying to help them," said the spokesman.