P o s t b a g Postbag Dear Sir/Madam,


Obstacles Rather than Good Initiatives? I have had a copy of your spring edition of Envoy passed to me, which contains a short, but interesting article on the Cycle2Work Scheme. I have been trying to get my Station interested in the Scheme, and understand that it is not supported at MOD level. In the hope of widening the debate I would like to respond to Lieutenant Colonel Purdy’s comments as follows:


Not everyone is in receipt of Home to Duty Travel (HDT), so it is not always the case that there would be a clash of benefits. Moreover, individuals should be encouraged to make a lifestyle choice, or at least be given the option of claiming either HDT or benefit from the C2W Scheme. I truly believe that the Services are missing out on a great opportunity to promote fitness and well being, whilst boosting morale through a worthwhile scheme, and benefiting from some good PR by ‘going green’.


Dear Editor


Cyprus Angst It is with great interest which I read the article ‘Beware! Man in the kitchen’ by Ray Hitchen. I am delighted and dismayed, to find I am not alone in the very unfriendly and biased world.


My wife and I have only been in Cyprus since September 2008, and I agree whole-heartedly with everything which Ray implies in his article.As a male ‘Wife of’, as soon as you arrive on the island, life takes a nose dive. When in conversation, every one assumes the man is the serving member, which is embarrassing for both me and my wife. Then comes the task of trying to find employment. Do you know how difficult it is for a man to gain employment within BFC?


The vast majority of jobs advertised in the Cyprus Lion for the benefit of UK Dependants, are either clerks or PA jobs, which I have applied for religiously every week. Surprisingly, like Ray, I too was an Operations Manager and am more than capable in an administrative role. Just


www.raf-families-federation.org.uk


Has the possibility of having separate station contracts been explored, as was the case under the old property management contracts, which have now been regionalised? Separate station contracts may provide the answer to keeping below the £100K threshold. Interestingly, I had heard that some stations had set up independent contracts with suppliers, but I have no evidence of this. In addition, I am somewhat bemused that one Government Department is not supporting another – surely a way around the contract limitations could be researched? Personnel sometimes get the impression that it is easier to provide obstacles to a good initiative, rather than looking for a way to make it happen.


I still believe that the Scheme offers real savings to individuals, and to the employer, or it would not be the success that it is with other organisations. Personnel would still be able to buy a ‘cheap’ bike in the sales and benefit from even more savings through the Scheme. In addition, the higher spec bikes


because I am male, does not mean I do not warrant an interview. After eight months of applications, I still await my first interview.


Why is it that in the UK I can work in many more sections within the unit, for example MT, where I have worked before? Why is it that traditionally male dominated positions are held back for Locally Employed Cypriots?


Like Ray, I too had the same problems claiming JSA, and found it very difficult to make the


are not normally in the January sales, just those bikes that are less popular and that the supplier has found hard to sell.


Finally, in answer to the Lieutenant Colonel’s comments regarding capital expenditure, the Scheme makes provision for financing the capital outlay through a 3rd party finance company, and tax-free status is maintained through the payment of a nominal sum by the individual at the end of the repayment period, typically 5% of the value, to transfer ownership.


I hope my comments will be helpful in contributing to wider discussion on this topic.


Yours sincerely, Bob Jackson, Squadron Leader


RAF FF Note: We await an official reply from MOD on this subject.


journey to Limassol, as my wife is a shift worker, and required the car to travel to work.


The euphoria of moving to Cyprus for a few years soon wears off as it becomes apparent that everyone wants their pound of flesh before you have chance to settle in.


But Ray, as much as I feel sorry for you, and any other man who arrives on this beautiful island in our predicament, you should try doing all of the above on the salary of a SAC! Yes, I know my wife gets LOA to account for the higher cost of living, but there is no way this is enough to compensate for all we give up.


What we all need to know is, when is Cyprus going to admit to being part of the EU, and stop trying to rip everyone off?


My closing question is; With all of this in mind, is it so surprising to read the Chief Clerks bulletins full of desperate appeals for all trades for Cyprus?


Its time to give men equal rights. Name withheld


Summer 2009 37


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