OEB: Recommendations to businesses affected by the crisis in the Middle East

OEB: Recommendations to businesses affected by the crisis in the Middle East

(a) Management of Employees in case of interruption of work

(b) Basic Instructions for Business Preparedness in case of Activation of Alarm Sirens

In relation to problems identified by the crisis in the Middle East in the conduct and processing of business activities (such as companies based or operating within the territory of the British Bases and have mandatorily suspended their activities), but also regarding the preparedness of all businesses in case of activation of alarm sirens, the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) recommends the following:

Employee Management

All issues can be resolved with goodwill and a spirit of cooperation between employers and employees. This is imposed by the labor institutions, the labor culture and the labor culture of the country. It goes without saying that contact and cooperation with the Trade Unions where and where they are active, is the first measure to seek mutually acceptable solutions to specific problems or questions that may arise.

Indicative measures and/or agreed arrangements include:

• Use of paid annual leave
• Absence of the employee from work with partial earnings
• Remote work / teleworking / working from home
• Absence of the employee with remuneration and coverage of the lost working time when he returns to work through the creation of a timeshare and in a way that will be agreed
• Agreed unpaid leave

In any case, the aim must be to safeguard the income of the affected workers to the maximum extent possible, without additional burden on businesses. It is understood that any arrangements described above should be mutually acceptable.

The Department of Labor Relations and Social Policy of OEB is at the disposal of businesses for further guidance.

Basic Business Preparedness Guidelines in Case of Sirens Activation

The President of OEB, Mr. Giorgos Pantelidis, made a written public statement earlier today in which he addresses businesses, the media and citizens, stressing the need for calm and a return to the normal rhythms of everyday life.

Given that, rightly, the state authorities have given the public instructions for self-protection measures in the event of an alarm, we consider it useful to communicate to businesses basic, simple and useful guidelines and preparedness actions in the event of sirens or other emergency warnings being activated.

The guidance has been prepared by the Occupational Safety & Health Service of OEB, to which anyone interested can turn for anything relevant.

1. Preparation Actions

Businesses are invited to consider the key preparedness measures:

• Designation of responsible persons for the management of emergency incidents.
• Designation of safe areas of protection within the premises (e.g. underground or indoor spaces without windows).
• Informing staff about emergency exits and assembly points.
• Ensuring that first aid kits and fire safety equipment are available and functional.
• Maintain an up-to-date employee contact list.

1. What to do when a warning siren sounds

In the event of sirens or other official warning:

• Work is immediately suspended.
• Staff calmly move to the nearest safe space (shelter, basement or windowless interior).
• Staff move away from windows and glass surfaces.
• Everyone remains in the protection area until instructions are given by the competent authorities.

1. During the alarm

• Keep calm and avoid panicking.
• Follow the instructions of the business managers.
• Help colleagues who may need support.
• Remain in the safe area until the official end of the alarm.

1. After the end of the alarm

After the alarm is completed:

• A staff count is carried out.
• First aid is provided where required.
• Facilities are inspected for potential hazards or damage.
• Returning to work when it is ensured that the premises are safe.

Important Reminder

In the event of an emergency, businesses and their staff should exclusively follow the instructions of the relevant state authorities.