It is with great pleasure that I address the 14th Pancyprian Congress of the Federation of Free Labour Unions of Semi-Municipal Organizations (OHO-SEC), the organization of employees of the wider public sector.
I would like to express my appreciation to the General Council and the members of the Federation for its long-standing and substantial contribution to labour events, to the promotion of economic prosperity and development of the country, with the unchanging goal of securing basic labour rights, based on the principles of social justice and social dialogue.
As the Ministry of Interior, we have for many years maintained a continuous and stable cooperation with the OIO-CEC on the issues within our competence and I would really like to congratulate you for your responsible attitude, which has contributed to a harmonious and constructive cooperation between us over the years.
The 14th Pancyprian Congress is taking place at a time when the conditions under which the Semi-Municipal Organizations operate in a competitive environment - including the Water Supply and Sewerage Councils - have changed drastically. The role of the state is to lay the foundations towards modernising and streamlining the way they operate.
Local Government
Similar challenges arise for a number of reforms, such as that of local government. And I feel particularly pleased, ladies and gentlemen, that today we can refer to local government, with new and extremely promising facts for our country ahead of us.
After years of efforts, discussions and deliberations, one of the most important reforms for Cyprus was passed by the House of Representatives last March. The Government had placed the issue of changing the operating framework of local government high on its list of priorities, with the ultimate aim of creating a positive impact for all citizens of Cyprus. And I would like to thank my predecessor, Minister Constantinos Petrides, who persistently laid the groundwork for this major change.
The enactment and publication of the new laws was the first, but very important step in setting the wheels in motion for the implementation of local government reform. The roadmap for the implementation of what is mentioned in the new legal framework is already being implemented, with the aim of putting the new operating framework into effect in June 2024, at the next local elections.
I am confident that the excellent cooperation we have had with the trade union side so far and the valuable and steady support you have shown as trade unionists towards achieving the goal of passing the reform bills will continue during the transition stage.
The problems and challenges that we are encountering and will encounter along the way are likely to be many. You are already aware of some what I consider to be normal reactions, given that we are talking about such a radical change. But any reactions are not likely to hinder the course of implementation, as long as they are dealt with in a spirit of caution and cooperation and with an eye on the ultimate goal: creating sustainable, more efficient local authorities and organisations, with expanded powers, administrative and financial autonomy for the benefit of every citizen, wherever they reside in Cyprus.
Personnel issues are clearly one of the main pillars of the forthcoming reform.
Personnel issues are clearly one of the main pillars of the forthcoming reform. An indicator of success will be the creation of modern organisational structures that meet the needs of each new entity and the empowerment of local authorities with the appropriate staff to be able to carry out their work effectively. Whether this concerns the new municipalities, the creation of local service clusters in the municipalities, or the five Provincial Local Authorities. The degree of difficulty of each may be different, but the importance is the same for all entities.
Through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Ministry of Interior will implement a project that includes, among other things, training for elected officials and staff of local authorities in order to provide them with the necessary skills for a smooth and orderly transition to the new operating framework. The project, which starts next September and will run until early 2025, will be implemented by the Council of Europe's Centre of Expertise for Good Governance, in cooperation with the Associations of Municipalities and Communities and the Academy of Public Administration.
I would also like to inform you that the Ministry of Interior, as coordinator of the implementation effort, has activated the mechanisms provided for by the Laws, such as the establishment of a Central Advisory Committee, Common Affairs Management Councils for the new municipalities and Interim Coordination Councils for the Provincial Self-Government Organizations. Additional information on the provisions of the bills, as well as the actions to be taken during the transitional stage in the areas that concern you, are contained in the presentation to be made later by the Head of the Local Government Department, Mr. Antonis Economides. I would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that on Monday I will be in Athens with my colleagues to formalize the cooperation with the Greek Government in matters of expertise so that the transition to the new order can be made in the most appropriate way.
Our goal, dear friends, is to work intensively with all parties involved, honoring, among other things, the agreement signed between the Minister of Interior, the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Trade Unions which secured the employment status, labour rights and pension benefits for employees working in the organisations affected by the reform, such as Local Authorities, Water Supply and Sewerage Boards and Solid Waste Management Organisations.
Public Broadcasting - Cyprus Radio and Television Foundation
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since I have previously pointed out the responsible attitude of your Federation in handling labour issues and in consultations with the employers' side, let me recall your contribution to the implementation of the important agreement reached in 2020 between the employers' side and the staff unions of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.
An agreement, which was ratified by the relevant Ministries of Interior and Finance through the Foundation's budgets and concerned the new organizational chart, the regulation of the long-standing, as it had evolved, issue with the permanent staff, as well as the final resolution of the problem of the Foundation's fringe benefits. Through this agreement, an organisational chart has been created which now enables the Foundation to meet modern requirements, making full use of its human resources and without any loss of posts. In addition,
- the way in which permanent staff are promoted on the basis of the new organisational working structure has been rationalised, while
- a solution has been found to one of the most persistent problems facing the Foundation, namely that of permanent staff, who over time have not received any professional recognition.
- The agreement reached on the issue of marginal benefits at RIC includes the transfer of €3.6 million, to the account of the Employees' Welfare Fund of the Foundation as a collective benefit, to be used for the beneficiaries of the Fund.
- It also includes a release of RIC from its accumulated debts to the Marginal Benefits Fund and specifically from its obligation to pay an amount of €8.9 million, which will be earmarked for the construction of new/modern building facilities.
- But perhaps one of the most important provisions of the agreement was the inclusion in the Welfare Fund of permanent staff and the increase in the rate of contribution of RIC.
The agreement is already being implemented through the Foundation's annual budgets and both staff and the Foundation are enjoying the first positive results.
Housing policy
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Home Office is a highly developmental Ministry. One of our interventions in favour of citizens and workers alike is our new housing policy, which through the course of its implementation has evolved and "mutated" to make it even more generous and attractive to citizens.
Particular emphasis was given by the Government to the promotion of policies for rural regeneration, with particular reference to our mountainous, disadvantaged and marginal areas, fulfilling the vision of the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities.
The aim, through the generous Schemes of financial support for the acquisition of housing, is to create the conditions and prospects for the retention of the existing population and for the attraction of new residents, contributing to the reduction of the phenomenon of urbanisation.
To date, a total of 694 applications for the acquisition of private housing have been approved, at a cost of €24.3 million,
The Schemes were revised and re-launched in April 2022 with additional improved incentives and triple the available funding of €15 million for this year and €20 million for 2023.
The Schemes were revised and re-launched in April 2022 with additional improved incentives and triple the available funding of €15 million for this year and €20 million for 2023. The substantial differentiations we have made in favour of beneficiaries are intended to maximise the response especially among young people.
Immigration
Friends,
I could not leave unanswered the challenge of my friend the Secretary General of the OHCHR-SEC for a report on the problem facing our semi-inhabited country. Immigration. A problem which, unfortunately, has been overshadowed in public debates, even by the Cyprus problem. The perpetrator and instigator in both cases, Attila the Hun. Invader in 1974, trafficker of human souls in recent years, instrumentalizing immigrants with the aim and purpose of demographic alteration and alienation of the country. This dangerous hybrid threat against both Cyprus and the European Union itself has amassed 50,000 asylum seekers in the Republic-controlled areas, almost all of them coming from the Green Line which they illegally cross every day.
The recent decisions and the public statements of EU officials that clearly send the message that our European partners have now become partners, participants and helpers in our efforts to deal effectively with this crisis.
Of course, this did not happen by magic or by chance. It was done with perseverance, but also with a correct and well-informed approach to the problem, which led to the signing of 4 agreements with the EU and its agencies, allowing us to be optimistic that the management of the problem is now becoming more manageable since support is being provided for important infrastructure projects and know-how.
In the face of this migratory flood that is overwhelming our country, threatening our demographic identity and raising issues of security, but also of excessive burden on taxpayers, the Ministry of Interior has clearly defined our objectives. Reducing crossings of the Green Line, which may not be our external border but is the crossing point for 94% of illegal immigrants, all coming from Turkey through the occupied territories.
This will be achieved by placing physical barriers, surveillance through a police unit, the establishment of which we expect the House of Representatives to pass into law today, and the use of technology. At the same time we are maximising the returns of those whose applications are rejected. Already, deportations for 2022 have exceeded those totaled in 2021, reaching 2,400, and we are rolling out agreements with a number of countries for the return of those of their nationals whose stay was denied.
Dear Friends,
In conclusion, allow me to congratulate you for the excellent organization of the Pancyprian Congress of the Federation of Free Trade Unions and Semi-State Organizations, with special reference to our friend General Secretary Andreas Ilias, whom I thank for the invitation and the opportunity to address you.
I want to assure you that the Government's close cooperation with all of you, the social partners, will continue and will be strengthened because it is an essential component of maintaining industrial peace, progress and prosperity for both workers and our country.
These are the same characteristics and principles espoused by our late friend, Minister Zeta Emilianidou, who worked with you with undivided zeal on labour issues, but also on the modernisation of social welfare. Zeta put her own personal stamp on a huge project that is a legacy for us all. She will always be remembered and honoured.
Dear friends, I wish you a good and constructive conference.
Thank you.
(EFYs)
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