In the wake of the Cypra slaughterhouse scandal which broke out early in November, the owner of the Nicosia-based facility that was highly infested with coronavirus on Thursday announced its temporary suspension.
“Today’s decision was imperative so as to put things in their place, while all steps are taken to ensure that conditions for the reopening of the facility are in full compliance with provisions and laws of the state,” the company said in a statement.
“A series of recent events have raised questions and uncertainty over issues related to the operation of the company. There are substantiated answers for all issues raised and these will be given to the competent authorities of the state,” added the statement.
The company also pledged to fully cooperate with authorities, providing them with all data of operation of the facility. And if there are responsibilities to be bore then these will be taken, they added.
On Wednesday, the owner who is also married to the island’s Accountant General Rea Georgiou, and some of his illegally-employed workers were arrested as part of checks that were carried out at slaughterhouse facilities. They were reported in writing and released.
The arrests were made as members from the immigration service and labour ministry carried out renewed checks at slaughterhouse businesses in the wake of the scandal.
Earlier this month, it had emerged that 92 workers tested positive for the novel coronavirus at the Cypra facility in Kato Moni.
On Tuesday it was announced that Cypra had been fined €213,500 after authorities found 61 undeclared workers at its premises during an inspection.
The fines correspond to €3,500 per undeclared worker employed over the last seven months. The company has 30 days to pay the fine.
