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Social Insurance and Older People in Cyprus: 1878–2004 PDF

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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 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2019 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and trans- mission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover image © Micha Klootwijk / Alamy Stock Photo This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland 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

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