Interview with crane driver Petra Dragieva

A woman crane driver, Petra Dragieva Petra Dragieva is working as a crane driver since she was 18 years old. She comes from Bulgaria, but lives in Cyprus the last 16 years. How many years have you been involved in this specific occupation?  I began working in this occupation when I was living in Bulgaria. Women doing this job are not considered as something special since many women are crane drivers. When     I came to Cyprus in 1994 I looked around to be employed as a crane driver, however due to the prejudice that exists I found it very difficult to find work. I only managed to find a job as a crane driver in 2002 when the "A.Panagides" company offered me a job. How did your interest in this occupation arise?  After school, I enrolled in a faculty for electricians. However, in the course of time I did not like this job. Therefore, when places were on offer at the Department for Crane Drivers I went there because I liked this job and I still enjoy it. Did you attend any sort of training programme?  Of course I did. In Bulgaria, we have special faculties for training concerning various occupations. To learn this trade and occupation the training programme lasted for six months - three months just for theory and three months practical work. Tell us in a few words something about your occupation?  To do this job you must first be very careful. A crane driver's responsibility is enormous and you must know very well what you are doing. From what I have seen in Cyprus, many crane drivers are not very well trained. They have not been trained and this is dangerous. My work is difficult, not so much in terms of physical tiredness but in mental tiredness. You must be constantly on the alert and concentrate. Personally speaking, I feel better when handling the crane up above and not on the ground because I can handle the crane and control it better. How difficult is it for a woman to be employed in the construction sector?  For many women it must be quite difficult because my male colleagues have been accustomed to see only men handling cranes. However, for me it is not particularly difficult since I was working for ten years in Bulgaria only with men. It is very difficult for a woman if she has not worked with men. She must know how to deal with situations and mainly to make them respect you. Does your employer treat you the same as men regarding pay, working time etc?  I am a member of the Construction Workers Union of PEO and I enjoy the same benefits and rights as my male colleagues who do the same work as I do. I do not have any problem concerning equal pay or unfair discrimination in my work. Furthermore, working hours are very convenient because I work from 7 in the morning until 3 three o'clock in the afternoon. Would you propose this occupation to other women and why?  Without doubt, yes. If they had a little courage to work up on the crane then they have nothing to fear to do this job. "She is not at all inferior to her male colleagues" In statements made to the "Workers Step", the engineer of the building site, Pambos Hilis, stressed that sister Petra Dragieva is excellent in her work. "We are all very happy with her work and she is no different from the male crane drivers", he underlined. Replying to a question if he was cautious that he would be working with a woman crane driver for the first time he said, "I was not at all cautious because when I needed to work with her I had heard very good comments from my male colleagues about her capabilities and knowledge". The first wage, as agreed to in the Collective Contract is 444 Euros per week, whilst crane drivers also receive in addition their stamps and all the other benefits", stated comrade Eftihios Papamichail, Nicosia District Secretary of the PEO Construction Workers Union. Brother Papamichail pointed out that specialised faculties for training of technical occupations, such as that of crane drivers, should also be established in Cyprus. "It is rare to see women in Cyprus handling cranes. However, it is an occupation does not need physical strength and is not particularly tiring, whilst it does pay a good income. We must overcome prejudices and women should also be involved in other sectors of the economy, apart from those viewed as traditionally "women's" sectors", he said.