Social Insurance and Older People in Cyprus: 1878–2004

264 Pages·2019·3.753 MB·English

by  Gregory Neocleous

Gregory Neocleous
Social
Insurance
&Older
People
inCyprus
1878–2004
Social Insurance and Older People in Cyprus
Gregory Neocleous
Social Insurance and
Older People in
Cyprus
1878–2004
Gregory Neocleous
Department of Social Sciences/Social Work
University of Nicosia
Nicosia, Cyprus
ISBN 978-3-030-02945-6 ISBN 978-3-030-02946-3 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02946-3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018961434
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Preface
This book explores and analyzes the evolution of social insurance in
Cyprus from 1878 and those factors that led to its development. In order
to provide a comprehensive view the book begins with the arrival of the
British in Cyprus in 1878 after 300 years of Ottoman occupation.
This book includes an analysis of the labour movement which spear-
headed the campaign for the introduction of social insurance. Both the
labour movement and the British colonists are considered as significant
players in the story of introducing social insurance in Cyprus. The labour
movement acted as a source of pressure in its campaign for improved
social welfare whilst the British created as many obstacles as possible
against such a development. In addition, the book illustrates the social
conditions of the general population but with particular emphasis on the
older population, the group most affected by a lack of social insurance.
This emphasis includes a detailed study and analysis of the role of elderly
people and their movement in their campaign for improved pensions.
The book is divided into five chronological periods with each having
its own significance in the evolution of social insurance. The analysis in
each chronological period illustrates the events and the outcomes of its
introduction and the turbulent and dramatic course of its evolution as
well as its significance in supporting workers and pensioners. The book is
based on a documentary research method utilizing various primary and
secondary sources as well as oral history interviews with eight key persons
vi Preface
in the area of social insurance, the labour movement and the older peo-
ple’s movement. The book also makes use of the work of six authors from
different areas of expertise and at different points in time. The authors
under review have dealt extensively with the social, living and labour con-
ditions in Cyprus as well as the campaign for social insurance. For exam-
ple, while Surridge (A survey of rural life in Cyprus. Cyprus Government
Printing Office, Nicosia, 1930) and Katsiaounis (Labour, society and
politics in Cyprus during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Cyprus Research Centre, Nicosia, 1996) have dealt with social issues,
such as poverty and unemployment since the arrival of the British on the
island in 1878 until the 1930s, Varnava (A miner recalls. PEO, Nicosia,
1989; Fighting for life. PEO, Nicosia, 1990; Recollections [through the
press]. Varnava, Nicosia, 1999; Common labour struggles of Greek and
Turkish-Cypriots [events through history]. PEO, Nicosia, 2004, Personal
interview. The evolution of the labour movement in Cyprus, Nicosia,
with G. Neocleous, 2006; Personal interview. EKYSY, Nicosia, with
G. Neocleous, Nicosia, 2009, Personal interview. Social insurance and
the elderly movement, Nicosia, with G. Neocleous] Nicosia, 2010) and
Fantis (From the people…with people…for the people. Fantis, Nicosia,
1997; The Cyprus trade union movement during the British Colonial Era
(1878–1960). Fantis, Nicosia, 2005) two of the leaders of the labour
movement since its creation, have left their mark on the campaign for
social insurance and the improvement of working conditions. Graikos
(History of PSE-PEO 1941–1991. PEO, Nicosia, 1991), as an historian,
analyzed the evolution and struggles of the labour, society and politics
during the second half of the nineteenth century and Yiallouros (The
evolution of the social insurance scheme. Social Insurance Services,
Nicosia, 2007), as a high-ranking officer at the Department of Social
Insurance, provided a more historically observed account by providing an
overview of various regulations and legislations on social insurance.
The conclusions of the book indicate that social insurance in Cyprus
was not a state ‘creation’ but, instead, the outcome of persistent cam-
paigns from ordinary people struggling against the odds.
Finally, the book concludes with the accession of Cyprus to the
European Union (EU) where any future developments in social policy are
shaped and regulated by the decisions and guidelines of the European
Union.
Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 T he Beginning of British Rule, 1878–1900 11
3 T he Early Twentieth Century, 1900–1931 49
4 G rowth of the Labour Movement and Introduction of
Social Insurance, 1931–1960 89
5 The Republic of Cyprus, 1960–1974 139
6 T he Post-War Years, 1974–2004 175
7 Conclusion 213
Bibliography 227
Index 255
vii
Glossary/Abbreviations
AKEL Progressive Party of Working People (Anorthotiko Komma
Ergazomenou Laou)
Alitheia ‘Truth’—title of Cypriot newspaper
COLA Cost of Living Allowance
EKYSY Union of Cypriot Pensioners (Enosi Kyprion Syntaxiouhon)
Eleftheria ‘Freedom’—title of Cypriot newspaper
Enosis ‘Unification’; i.e. Cyprus with Greece
EOKA National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (Ethniki)
EOKA B’ National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (Ethniki Organosis
Kyprion Agoniston). The re-appearance of this organization is
related to a series of terrorist attacks against Turkish-Cypriots,
members of AKEL, government buildings, assassinations,
assassination attempts against President Makarios III and
bombing against police stations from late 1960s until 1974.
ILO International Labour Organization
MP Member of Parliament
Neon Kition New Kition (Larnaca)—title of Cypriot newspaper
Octovriana The uprising that took place on October 21, 1931, in Cyprus
during the colonial regime.
Palmerocracy Period of unrest and dissidence with trade unions
PEO Pancyprian Federation of Labour (Pagkypria)
PIO Press and Information Office. Official
PSE Pancyprian Labour Organization (Pagkypria)
ix
x Glossary/Abbreviations
Salpinx ‘Tube’—title of Cypriot newspaper
SEK Confederation of Cypriot Workers
Syntaxiouhos (Pensioner) The name of the Periodical published
Troika It means “a set of three”, or triumvirate, or three of a kind
UNHCR United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees
VAT Value Added Tax
WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions
List of Figures
Fig. 2.1 Landing at Larnaca, 1878. (Source: Illustrated London News,
August 17, 1878) 15
Fig. 2.2 Sir Garnet Wolseley watching the hoisting of the British flag
upon his arrival in Nicosia
This engraving was published in a French magazine at the time.
Cyprus 1878: The Journal of Sir Garnet Wolseley (Wolseley, 1991) 17
Fig. 3.1 Elderly beggars. (Source: PEO photo album dedicated to the
50th anniversary of the labour movement, 1991) 58
Fig. 3.2 Certificate of registration of the ‘Trade Union of Shoemakers,’
January 6, 1932. (Source: PEO photo album dedicated to the
50th anniversary of the labour movement, 1991) 85
Fig. 4.1 Group of workers, 1941. (Source: PEO photo album dedicated
to the 50th anniversary of the labour movement, 1991) 102
Fig. 4.2 Miners on strike, March 3, 1938. (Source: PEO photo album
dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the labour movement,
1991) 110
Fig. 4.3 Turkish-Cypriot widow and her four children of a mine worker
who lost his life at the Mavrovouni mine in 1952. (Source:
PEO photo album dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the
labour movement, 1991) 121
Fig. 4.4 Workers in Larnaca in 1954 demanding a ‘complete System of
Social Insurance’. (Source: PEO photo album dedicated to the
50th anniversary of the labour movement, 1991) 126
xi