Dialogos

POAT: Indefinite strike from January 27th if piracy is not addressed

Published January 20, 2026, 11:01
POAT: Indefinite strike from January 27th if piracy is not addressed

Drastic measures are needed to address pirate taxis, said the President of POAT. Measures to remove piracy from the roads, which the sector faces from private taxis, were requested again by the President of the Pan-Cypriot Federation of Urban Taxi Drivers (POAT), Dinos Konstantinou, warning of an indefinite strike from next Tuesday, January 27th. Within the framework of the POAT's 24-hour strike, and speaking at the gathering of professional taxi drivers in Limassol, at the parking area of the Germasogeia river, Mr. Konstantinou stated that the problem with illegal pirate taxis has multiplied in the last five years, despite the relevant legislation of 2024. “This means that some are not doing their job properly,” he said, adding that “either the TOM supervisors must do their job more frequently or better, because the result we see is disheartening. Instead of the other person being afraid to engage in piracy with his private vehicle, he sees weaknesses in the system.” He added that the competent authorities should provide solutions and, if necessary, request the assistance of the Police, as was done in the past, “where a better job was done, while now we see that nothing is being done, especially at airports, ports and marinas.” Mr. Konstantinou stressed that a major problem is the online platforms, which, he said, employ private individuals, many of whom, according to him, are former professional taxi drivers who lost their license for serious offenses. He also said that passengers are not aware that, if anything happens, they are not covered by insurance. “It is the responsibility of the Ministry and the TOM to educate the public. Policing is lax, it is negligible and we want strict policing and campaigns. If they cannot ask for the help of the Police, especially at airports,” he added. Asked, the President of POAT stated that, if drastic measures are not taken by the authorities, the weekend the Federation will be called to decide on an indefinite strike, from Tuesday, January 27th.