Cypriots-Turks Demand Payment of Insurance

The Retired People’s Association Coordination Committee prepared a list of people who have submitted claims. The list will be presented to the Greek side’s Labor and Social Security Ministry in the next few days.

The initiative, which is supported by Greek syndicates as well, is expected to be resolved by the end of March. Applications were processed and 4,200 people were found to have retirement pension rights.

Turkish-Cypriots worked under the Greek Social Insurance Program as teachers, police and other professions from 1957 until 1963 within the frame of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations’ (UN) initiative to form a joint administration. This continued until the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. After the two sides separated, Turkish people’s retirement fund claims and dismissal pay and premiums remained on the Greek side. The first step to collect the premiums was taken in 1979.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) Revolutionist Laborer Syndicates Federation President, Ali Gulle, said yesterday: "Partial success was achieved in the applications. The Greeks began to make dismissal payments since then, bringing 1 million Cyprus Liras into the market."

According to information given by Gulle, insured people who paid insurance premiums for less than three years are not considered to be eligible for payment. The Greek administration says that according to a 1995 law, they do not have to reimburse subscribers for the 3-year accumulation of premiums. Stating that no law can ignore the rights individuals have gained, Gulle said that the TRNC syndicates and retired communities decided to initiate legal procedures. He said they received a positive response to the applications on the Greek-Cypriot side and added: ‘we have received significant support from the Greek syndicates.’