Country study
May 2010
Détente Consultants
CALYPSO STUDY ON SOCIAL TOURISM CYPRUS
CALYPSO STUDY ON SOCIAL TOURISM CYPRUS
Revision Final Date 2010/03/16 Made by Daniel Gros Checked by Carine Guidali/Marion Doublet Approved by National Contact Point
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CONTENTS
1. Summary 1 2. Focus on experiences on and mechanisms for international exchanges 1 3. Analysis of the four target tourism markets 2 3.1 Structures and players 2 3.2 Segmentation profile 3 3.3 Existing support systems and/or mechanisms 7 3.4 Demand drivers 8 4. Analysis of the tourism sector 10 4.1 Market trends 10 4.2 Supply of services 10 4.3 Supply of services from a European point of view 11 4.4 Sustainable tourism aspects 11 4.5 Feasibility of social tourism 12 5. Legislative perspectives 13 6. Development of products for social tourism 13 7. Web portals 14
Annexes List of documents Detailed annexes Governmental aspects and policies Trade unions aspects and policies Associations and NGOs aspects and actions
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1. SUMMARY
Social tourism initiatives and programs in Cyprus are historically led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, who helps people to go on holiday through subsidies. For two years Cyprus Tourism Organization has started to work in the field of social tourism, with the aim at improving citizens’ welfare and giving the right to holiday to all citizens.
All the stakeholders have an interest in the further development of social tourism, mainly as a way to increase the flow of tourists and to boost tourism during off season. In this sense tourism activity suffers from strong seasonality, as an important part of local supply closes from November to March, and flight capacity decreases during off season. For professional federations, the way to launch initiatives as Calypso is to focus, at least at the beginning, on group trips that will allow logistic organization and the set up of low cost packages. Associations and NGOs are concerned by the well being of their members but their weak financial capacities push them to concentrate their action on the daily citizens’ preoccupations.
The intermediary organizations representing the four targets groups are interested in the initiatives that can allow them to go on holiday abroad. No specific destinations, activities or accommodations are really preferred but low cost offers are necessary. In that sense, the biggest barrier remains the financial difficulties, considering that some of these targets couldn’t afford to go on holiday, even in Cyprus, without Government subsidies. The strong cultural habits of going on holiday quasi exclusively during summer period are also a big challenge for Calypso.
The few existing experiences of tourism exchanges are led by trade unions that own their own hotel apartments and organize some members’ exchanges during summer period with other European trade unions. These camps are open, out of summer, to non members and Cyprus trade unions are willing to offer them in the framework of partnerships.
2. FOCUS ON EXPERIENCES ON AND MECHANISMS FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES
No examples of experiences and mechanisms for international exchanges in the field of social tourism could be found in Cyprus.
The main structure involved in social tourism initiatives is the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. Inside this Ministry, the Department of Social Welfare provides subsidized holidays for Cyprus citizens. These programs subsidize holidays in Cyprus for employees’ members of the Central Vacation Fund, for insured persons with low income, for people with disabilities and for pensioners.
The trade unions provide additional subsidies for their members to go on holidays in Cyprus or abroad. The three main Cyprus Trade Unions organize for their members one week trips abroad, mainly in Greece due to the cultural proximity and punctually to European countries, and one week cruises in Greek islands. These structures own hotel apartments located in sea or mountain resorts, reserved for their members during summer period and opened to non members off season. Some bilateral agreements already exist between Cyprus trade unions and some European ones (Hungarian, Polish, Romanian). All trade unions are open to rent their camps out of summer and to organize exchanges by developing links with other trade unions and social organisations in Europe. The Maltese initiative from General Workers Union of Malta was mentioned as an example of web portal which provides available dedicated supply (see report on Malta). One of the biggest difficulties to set up tourism exchanges off season will be to encourage and to help people to leave out of summer holiday, as this period is culturally the peak holiday period.
Cyprus Tourism Organization is interested in Calypso initiative, mainly for inbound tourism during off season. The main targets are European senior citizens, and especially Scandinavians. The
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goal is to extend a very short season and concentrate activity, which perturbs private tourism services providers’ economic running (half of the local accommodation parks’ close during four to six months per year).
Private enterprises are also completely opened to welcome Calypso targets off season and are ready to offer low cost packages. Tourism suppliers recommend starting with groups (and not individuals), in order to cover travel logistic costs (especially flights, as the capacity in terms of seats strongly decrease off season) and set up of packages.
3. ANALYSIS OF THE FOUR TARGET TOURISM MARKETS
3.1 Structures and players
In Cyprus, various structures play a role in helping people going on holiday. Their fields of intervention concern support of target groups as well as the organization of stays.
Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (see in annex full description): The Ministry of Labour and social insurance is the main structure helping people to go on holidays • The Department of Social Insurance Services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance is responsible for the administration of the Annual Holidays with pay Law (Law 8 of 1967 2005 and Regulations): Program of subsidized holidays of employees members of the Central Vacation Fund (funded through employer’s contribution of 6% on the salaries) Program of subsidized vacations for insured persons with low income Program of subsidized vacations of people receiving public aid from the Government • The Social Welfare Services provides schemes for subsidizing the elderly and the disabled according to article 24 of Public assistance Legislation Program of subsidized vacations of people with disabilities Program of subsidized vacations of pensioners The detail of these programs is explained is chapter 3.3.
Cyprus Tourism Organization – KOT Cyprus Tourism Organization is a semi governmental structure in charge of monitoring the development of Cyprus tourism destination. Dealing with Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, KOT has been involved in social tourism only for two years and try to give equal opportunity to all citizens to go on holidays. Nevertheless social tourism is not among the priorities and no significant resources are dedicated to it.
Other players involved in helping people to go on holidays in Cyprus are trade unions . They are usually organized in several dedicated departments, as workers, young, women, and each department organizes its own tourism initiatives. Main trade unions of the island are: • SEK Cyprus Workers Confederation (see in annex full description) is the biggest trade union in Cyprus (only independent trade union) with 68 member associations representing 72,000 individual members, mainly in the private sector. • Pancyprian Federation of Labour – PEO (see in annex full description) is an umbrella organization for trade unions with 68,000 members. PEO is the coordinating Federation of its nine affiliated trade unions. • Pancyprian Public Servants Trade Union – PASYDY (see full detail in annex) is a trade union of all public servants, employees of the central government and has also in its ranks branches of employees of semi state authorities and of foreign governments (15,000 members). Trade unions expanded their activity to fields of members welfare with establishment of institutions and introduction of activities which are complementary to the trade union activity connected with the members' professional problems. These additional activities and services are:
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medical insurance, nursery, children's summer camp, seaside and mountain summer and holiday centres for members and families.
A number of associations dedicated to specific targets and informal agencies are lobbying to promote the rights of their members in the society and are involved in tourism initiatives and programs. Their main actions regarding tourism consist in organizing trips in Cyprus or abroad by negotiating special packages and discounts for groups (see annex). • Associations and NGOs: Disabled: the national organisation representing disabled people at the European level is The Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (CCOD) which represents all disabled people’s organisations in Cyprus, as the Pancyprian Organization for disabled persons, the Pancyprian Parents Association for People with Mental Handicaps PASYGOKA. Families: Pancyprian Organization of large families – POP, Pancyprian Organisation of Families with 3 children. Seniors: Pancyprian Federation for the Welfare of the Elderly – POSEI. • Informal agencies: National Anti Poverty Network, Education and Information Technology Centre (Editc).
3.2 Segmentation profile
Senior citizens User profile (socio- The population of the Government controlled area 1 is estimated at economic profile, travel 877,600 inhabitants 2.The proportion of old aged persons 65 and habit demographics) over increased to 12.5% in 2007 (109,500 persons: 54.6% of females and 45.4% of males). The proportion of the population 65+ years is projected to increase to 17.6% by 2028 and to 26.2% by 2050. The risk of poverty rate for the population aged 65 years or more is 51% (compared to 16% for general population) The Social Insurance Scheme provides (see Annex for full and detail old people social insurance): • Old-age pension: all employed and self employed persons reaching the age of 65 are compulsorily insured under the Social Insurance Scheme. The basic insurable earnings was 589.80 € per week in 2008 (minimum 300 €) • Supplementary Pension Scheme: occupational schemes which provide benefits in addition to those of the statutory Social Insurance Scheme (provident funds or occupational pension schemes) • Social Pension (without contributions): covers persons of 65+ and who are not entitled to any pension from other sources (the majority of these people are housewives) • Social allowances : pensioners whose pension is under 854€ receive a special allowance as a counterbalance to the tax revision Culturally, Cypriot society retains strong family ties. During school year, old people frequently help their family with children and house care, which allows mobility only during summer period (school holidays). Cyprus seniors mainly go on holiday in couple or group in Cyprus or in Greece.
1 Geopolitically, the island is subdivided into 2 main segments. The Republic of Cyprus, the internationally recognized government, occupies the Southern two thirds of the island (59.74%). The so called ‘’Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’’ occupies the Northern third (34.85%) of the island and is recognized only by Turkey 2 Demographic Report 2007, Republic of Cyprus
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Organisation Ageing has only recently been mainstreamed in policies such as responsible for support economic, social protection, labour market and health 3. Adjustments of the social protection system (social security system and healthcare system) are underway in response to demographic changes and their social and economic consequences. Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance – Social Welfare Services (see full social services policy for older people in annex) is the main player Sponsoring of Holiday Schemes for Elderly People and for Disabled People : Persons 63 years of age or older who are public assistance beneficiaries are eligible for a holiday allowance which covers hotel accommodation in Cyprus for a specified period throughout the year. The allowance is 256 € for holidays with duration of six days. When necessary the amount of 256 € is also allocated for an assistant. Other subsidies come from the different seniors’ Departments of the Cyprus trade unions Duration of stay The average length of stay is between 5 to 8 days Average duration of stay of Cypriots travelling abroad is 7.2 nights 4 Main holiday Seniors mainly go on holiday in couple or in group of friends in destinations Cyprus. Greece is the main foreign country visited by seniors (as for the rest of the population) because of the language, cultural and religious proximity. According to statistics on residents of Cyprus travelling abroad 5: Greece is the first country visited (37% of trips), UK is the second (20%), Russia (4%) Average spending Seniors negotiated full package (transport, accommodation, food, during holidays per activities) by trade unions or associations for one week in Greece is year about 600 € per person and 1.000 € in another European country. Holiday participation No data available statistics
Barriers and reasons Main barriers to go on holiday are: for non-participation • Financial problems • Many seniors prefer staying at home • Difficulties with the language out of Cyprus and Greece • Lack of information
Young people User profile (socio- 72,100 young people aged from 20 to 24 (8.2% of the populations economic profile, travel and 75,100 from 25 to 29 (8.6% of the population). Traditionally, habit demographics) the family has been the primary social, economic and moral unit. Even if has changed and young people are freer than in the past, nowadays, either by necessity or habits, young Cypriots continue to depend on their parents’ financial or other assistance, even after completing education 6. The rate of employment of youth Cypriots is one of the lowest in Europe Young people mainly travel during summer to visit Greek islands Organisation Cyprus Youth Board (semi governmental organisation) with responsible for support sponsored programs focused on culture and education
3 Report on National Follow up to the UNECE Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS) of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL INSURANCE, 2007 4 Tourism statistics, Statistical service of the Republic of Cyprus 5 Statistical service of the Republic of Cyprus 6 Youth in Cyprus, aspiration, lifestyle and empowerment – Cyprus human development report 2009, University of Nicosia, KADEM, UNDP
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Duration of stay Average duration of stay of Cypriots travelling abroad is 7.2 nights Main holiday According to statistics on residents of Cyprus travelling abroad destinations (Statistical service of the Republic of Cyprus), Greece is the first country visited (37% of trips), UK is the second (20%), Russia (4%) Young people mainly go on Greek islands. Average spending One week to two weeks during holidays per year Holiday participation 15 to 24 years old represent 18.3% of Cypriotes’ trips abroad 7 statistics No data available on non participants Barriers and reasons Main barriers are financial constraints and lack of free time, both for for non-participation students and workers
Families facing difficult circumstances User profile (socio- There are 24,000 families in Cyprus. economic profile, travel Cyprus is covered by EU Regulations on Child Benefit (previously habit demographics) known as Children's Allowance). The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, Department of Social Welfare Services, is responsible for Social Welfare System. The Public Assistance and Services secures a minimum standard of living for all persons living legally in Cyprus. It makes special provision for citizens who are more vulnerable to social exclusion (single parents, parents with four or more children, families at risk of dissolution, persons with sickness or disabilities, including those with employment injuries and occupational diseases, and some of the unemployed). The rate for public assistance is set at approximately 362 euro per month (reviewed annually to be in line with the rising cost of living). Social protection schemes are, on the whole, financed through general taxation benefit. Beyond the Social Welfare System, a child benefit is granted to all families for each child without considering their income, while a supplementary amount is given when the annual income of the family is below 20,460 €. Child benefits and a mother’s allowance are financed out of general taxation and adjusted according to the cost of living index. This program is administered by the Ministry of Finance. Organisation Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance – Social Welfare Services responsible for support (see full social services policy for older people in annex) is the main player in helping families. There are no dedicated help to go on holidays for families and families with special needs (e.g. large families). Families’ helps are included in the Social tourism program run by the Ministry of labour and social insurance (see 3.3) Duration of stay One week to two weeks Average duration of stay of Cypriots travelling abroad is 7.2 nights Main holiday Families facing difficult circumstances mainly go on holiday in destinations Cyprus during summer time in hotel apartments (equipped with kitchenettes) or campsites Average spending No data available during holidays per year
7 Tourism statistics, Statistical service of the Republic of Cyprus
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Holiday participation 336 families facing social and economic difficulties went on holiday statistics in 2009 with the Ministry of Labour and social Insurance program Barriers and reasons Main barriers to go on holiday are financial for non-participation
Adults with disabilities User profile (socio- 12% of disabled Cyprus citizens 8 economic profile, travel Disabled people mainly go on holiday during Summer period, and habit demographics) the majority is accompanied by a family member Organisation The key national body with responsibility for disability law and policy responsible for support implementation is the Service for the Care and Rehabilitation of Disabled People (YMA), a government service that works under the authority of the Ministry of Labour. It co ordinates disability issues and offers specialized services to disabled people in the fields of vocational rehabilitation and social integration • Holidays for Disabled People Benefit: this scheme is in force since 1998 and aims at sponsoring the holidays of disabled people and their families in hotels around Cyprus. This benefit is allocated to disabled people who are not recipients of any other benefit. • Sponsoring of holidays schemes for elderly people and for disabled people who are also recipients of the public assistance allowance: this scheme sponsors holidays in Cyprus for elderly people (63+) and disabled people who are also recipients of the public assistance allowance. The allowance is 256€ for holidays with duration of six days. When necessary the amount of 256€ is also allocated for an assistant The national organization representing disabled people at the European level is The Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled (CCOD) which represents all disabled people’s organizations in Cyprus. Duration of stay 7 nights Average duration of stay of Cypriots travelling abroad is 7.2 nights Main holiday Adults with disabilities go mainly on holiday in Cyprus and in Greece destinations Some Cyprus structures are dedicated to disabled people (transport, accommodation, activities): disability Cyprus, Paraquip According to statistics on residents of Cyprus travelling abroad (Statistical service of the Republic of Cyprus): Greece is the first country visited (37% of trips), UK is the second (20%), then Russia (4%). Average spending No data available during holidays per year Holiday participation 702 disabled people applied for subsidies holidays (Ministry of statistics Labour and social Insurance program) in 2009 and 684 were approved: • Type of disability: 386 motor disability, 105 blind, 103 mental disability, 23 deaf, 67 other • Sex: 458 men and 226 women Total number of people (disabled + family members + carer or personal assistant): 1.646 people
8 Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, 2002
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Barriers and reasons Main barriers: for non-participation • Lack of accessibility • Financial problems • Health problems
3.3 Existing support systems and/or mechanisms
The financial support to the target groups comes from Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and from trade unions, and consists mainly in social security benefits, such as pensions, social support and unemployment grants.
Annual holidays with pay law The main objectives of the law are to: ••• Secure annual leave with pay to all employees ••• Provide the means for better utilization of the annual holidays , especially for employees with low incomes
The Annual Holidays with Pay Law covers all persons employed in the private and the public sectors, including apprentices. The law established the Central Holiday Fund, which is sponsored by employers. All employees with at least 48 weeks’ service are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid holidays. Employers have to contribute 8% of the employee’s salary to this fund (for 2009 the ceiling is 924 euro per week or 4,004 euro per month). They may, however, apply for exemption from having to contribute to the fund provided they offer better conditions to their employees. The Central Holiday Fund has the authority, subject to approval by the Council of Ministers, to subsidize holidays of employees as well as to subsidize the establishment and maintenance of holiday camps. A special scheme for the subsidization of the employees’ holidays has been in operation since 1972. According to this scheme the Central Holiday Fund subsidizes accommodation in various hotels in the mountain and seaside resorts. Moreover, since 1980 the Central Holiday Fund subsidizes holiday camps operated by trade unions.
Social tourism program run by the ministry of labour and social insurance for 2009 18,000 beneficiaries of the different following program of subsidies in 2009, representing 75,000 hotel nights
No of Program Income criteria Nights Maximum income per capita €270 per week or € 1170 per month Program of subsidized
holidays of employees 7 The amount of subsidy (100% €45) covers households members of the Central with per capita less than €220 per week. Vacation Fund The amount of subsidy (90% €40.50) covers households with per capita over €220.01 €270 per week. Program of subsidized Families with one person €18000, families with two vacations for insured 5 persons €27,000 + €2000 per additional dependent persons with low income person Program of subsidized vacations of people Beneficiaries are people receiving public aid and the 5 receiving public aid from dependent persons of their families the Government.
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Single: Annual income less than €20000 Program of subsidized Families with 2 persons: Annual income less than €30000 vacations of people with 7 Families with 3 persons: Annual income less than €40000 disabilities + €10000 per dependent Monthly income from pensions: Program of subsidized 3 Household of 1 person €960 vacations of pensioners Household of 2 persons €1700
TRADE UNIONS expanded their activity by helping their members to go on holidays. The three main trade Unions (SEK, PEO, PASYDY) have globally the same holiday’s initiatives, procedures and modalities (see full detail, economic results, prices, etc. in annex): • They own their own hotel apartments, built with governmental co funding, and rent them at low prices, exclusively to their members during summer period, and open them to everybody the rest of the year. Booking process proceeds in internal systems. These hotel apartments are non profitable structures and trade union receive financial help from government to cover running expenses. • They subsidize low cost holidays in hotel apartments in beach or mountain resorts. Trade unions negotiate special discount with private accommodation, pay a part of the rental amount directly to the enterprise and members pay the rest of the amount. • They subsidize trips abroad, mainly in Greece, and one week cruise for all members, with special offer dedicated to senior members. Trade unions negotiate special discount with private service provider, pay a part of the amount directly to the enterprise and members pay the rest of the amount. • Free week camps are organized in their own campsites or campsites lent by associations, municipalities and trade unions, during summer for children’s members.
3.4 Demand drivers
Senior citizens Main constraint to go on holiday remains the weak financial capacity An important part of seniors, especially the ones who are not used Constraints to travel, prefer staying at home Lack of information, especially on discount offers Cyprus senior citizens mainly go inside Cyprus or in Greece because of the comfort of the language, the cultural and religious proximity. Needs and expectations They are open to go abroad, usually with a guide, especially in in terms of destination France and Italy, because they have some family members there or because it is in accordance with their cultural and heritage expectations If they go mainly in hotels, they do not necessarily expect a specific Types of type of accommodation. Furthermore they don’t want to stay in accommodation dedicated establishments Activities Preferred activities are cultural, religious and heritage visits No specific equipment is required, but seniors are concerned by Specific equipment general safety, food safety, assistance when they don’t know the language of the country and no extra package expenses
Sensitivity to price Important sensibility due to the weakness of pensions
Senior citizens mainly go on holiday during summer time because culturally seniors frequently help their family with children and Seasonality aspects house care during school year. Nevertheless this target remains the most open to go on holiday off season
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Young people Constraints Financial constraints Lack of free time Geographical distance from Western Europe Needs and expectations The majority of young people go on holiday on Greek islands for in terms of destination ‘farniente’ and parties Young Cypriots are attracted by European destinations even if very few know central and Western countries Types of No specific accommodation, but the price remains one of the first accommodation choice criteria Activities ‘Farniente’, meet other young people, entertainment and parties, festivals Specific equipment No specific equipment required Sensitivity to price Sensitivity to price varies with age: very high for students, unemployed and new workers; less strong for employed Seasonality aspects Strong seasonality linked with official holidays calendar
Families facing difficult circumstances Constraints Mostly financial constraints are preventing these segments of families to go on holidays. Needs and expectations Families prefer warm destinations with all facilities and activities for in terms of destination children leisure and entertainment. The security for children must be insured. Parents expect a place to relax. Types of Hotel resorts with all facilities and activities included in the area accommodation Campsites Activities Mainly activities and facilities for children (excursions, visits, sport) Specific equipment No specific equipment required Sensitivity to price Very high sensitivity, especially for mono parental families and large families were low cost offers are necessary to go on holiday Seasonality aspects Mainly during summer, when children are on holidays and the weather is warm Generally speaking families follow the school calendar to go on holiday
Adults with disabilities Constraints Financial constraints, as for the majority they can only go on holiday with Government support and not on their own economy Medical problems Problem of physical accessibility: beaches, hotel rooms Lack of information: internet information are necessary for them to prepare their trips (transport, accommodations, activities) Needs and expectations In general easily accessible areas and low priced accommodation in terms of destination facilities are preferred Types of Accommodations accessible to motor handicap accommodation Don’t want to stay in dedicated establishments Activities No specific activities Specific equipment Accommodation accessible for motor handicaps Sensitivity to price Many families with disabled people cannot go on holiday only with their own income and are dependent of subsidies Seasonality aspects Disabled people, mainly go on holiday with their families during summer
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4. ANALYSIS OF THE TOURISM SECTOR
4.1 Market trends
International tourism Tourist’s arrivals reached 2,403,750 in 2008. Traffic by air represented 92.2% of arrivals.
Europe is the traditional tourist market for Cyprus. In 2008 European countries provided the island with 94.3% of the global tourist arrivals and the European Union countries with 81.8%. The United Kingdom remained the major source of tourism to the island with a share of 51.7% in the tourist traffic, while Russia came second with 7.5% followed by Greece with 5.5%, Germany 5.5%, Sweden 5.2%
48.7% stayed in hotels with stars, 20.6% in hotel apartments and tourist villages, 14% with friends and relatives, 5.2% in owned residence and 11.4% elsewhere. The total number of nights spent in collective accommodation establishments reached 14,380,375 in 2008. 34.6% of the total number of tourists stayed in Pafos and Polis, 16.6% in Ayia Napa, 15.7% in Paralimni, 13.2% in Lemesos, 9.4% in Larnaka. The median duration of stay was 7 nights for 2008.
Revenue from tourism is estimated at €1,792,8 million. The average expenditure per person was €745,8 (or €74,2 per day). At the end of 2008 there were in operation 869 collective accommodation establishments (225 hotels, 209 hotel apart, 22 tourist villages, etc.) with a total capacity of 90,398 beds
Cypriot residents’ holidays: In 2008, 1,209,802 Cypriots and foreign residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad. The peak season for residents traveling abroad remained the July September period. About 36.9% had visited Greece, 20.4% UK, 4.1% Russia, 2.7% Bulgaria, 2.6% Israel, 2.4% France, 2.4% Italy and 2.4% Romania.
4.2 Supply of services
Transport There is a very pronounced seasonality in air plane seat availability during off season. • The greatest majority of charter flights begin in April, May and completed by the last week of October with a very small fraction of charter flights available during off season. In some markets, flight connections are almost entirely dominated by charter flights (e.g. Scandinavian countries where there is virtually no direct connection during off season). • In the same way regular companies and low cost companies concentrate about half of their seats capacity during the three summer months. • Generally speaking, Cyprus is situated at the Eastern end of the Mediterranean region and as a result, is further away from its main tourist markets compared with the other Mediterranean tourist destinations and therefore fuel cost is higher. Virtually the air ticket cost is rounding to 30 40% more expensive compare to the destinations at the Western end of the Mediterranean region.
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Accommodation Cyprus tourism Organization is in charge of monitoring accommodation upgrading and modernization. There are 80,000 beds available in Cyprus, whose 30,000 in 3, 4 and 5 stars: • No dedicated label for specific target. According to the law, 5% of rooms built after 1993 must be accessible to motor disabled people, but today not many rooms (no precise data) are effectively accessible. • Tourism activity in Cyprus is very affected by seasonality, as 80% of tourists arrive on four summer months. As a consequence 50% of the whole accommodation park closes 6 months per year (especially on the Eastern part). During off season, main clienteles are European Seniors from UK and Scandinavia, who benefits special lower prices’ offers. • 70% of the clientele comes in Cyprus through tour operators
Supply dedicated to disabled people: Only one small main structure (C&A Tourist Apartments) exists in Cyprus providing services (airport transfer, rental equipment as power scooter, electric wheel chairs, etc.), accommodation and activities (boat trips, parasailing, excursions) for disabled people.
4.3 Supply of services from a European point of view
Further to the previous chapter, the main problem from a European point of view is the strong seasonality of tourism activity in Cyprus which leads to low seats’ plane capacity and to the closure of half of accommodation capacity during off season. Besides, the distance of Cyprus from its main markets causes an air ticket cost from 30 to 40% more expensive compared to the destinations at the Western end of the Mediterranean region.
The Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises – ACTE, which suffers from high seasonality (50% of the whole accommodation park closes 6 months per year) is open to welcome Calypso targets, by lobbying to his members in order to propose special discounts. Nevertheless, to be suitable, any initiative needs to be organized in a specific period, and to be focused on groups instead of individuals. In this sense, only organized groups can justify all the logistics (for example charter flights) and the discount that supposed this kind of initiative.
All trade unions are open to rent their camps out of summer period to European citizens and to participate to tourism exchanges: • Trade unions would like to develop links with other trade unions in Europe, in order to give children and families from other countries the opportunity to use these vacation establishments. Similarly, trade unions are interested in establishing exchange programs with other trade unions in Europe, in order to give their members the opportunity to travel abroad and to strengthen relations with other European countries, within the enlarged European Union and beyond its borders. • One of the biggest difficulties will be to encourage and to help people to leave out of summer holiday. • As the vast majority of the workforce in Cyprus in the private and public sectors, SEK, PEO and PASYDY members go on holidays mainly during summer months and more specifically during July and August. This means that the camps are available to receive people from abroad off season.
4.4 Sustainable tourism aspects
The vision of the national tourism strategy is: “Cyprus, a qualitative tourist destination that will satisfy the visitor with various interests and quests and ensure the continuous improvement of the quality of life of the locals.” The achievement of this vision is being accomplished through a strategy whose central point of reference is sustainability, with emphasis on the pillars of economy, environment and culture/society.
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More specifically, through the implementation of the Strategic Plan: • Optimal usage of the environmental resources which constitute a key element in tourism development; • Respecting the socio cultural authenticity of the host communities aiming at the conservation of their built and living cultural heritage; • Ensuring viable, long term economic operations providing socio economic benefits to all stakeholders.
The success of the directions set by the three pillars is monitored through five quantitative targets focussing on increasing tourists’ expenditure, reducing the seasonality problem, increasing the number of arrivals, increasing the length of stay and increasing repeat tourism. Cyprus Tourism Organisation: • Has invested in the development of environmentally and culturally friendly tourist products such as Routes of a religious, cultural and historic character a few of which are the Wine Routes, Religious Routes, Aphrodite Route etc. Nature trails such as E4, Cycling routes etc. Three of these projects, namely, the Wines Routes, The Troodos Cycling route and the Religious Routes were completed in 2008 and have been cofounded by 50% by the European Regional Development Fund during the Programming Period of 2004 2006. • Supports local communities for projects promoting their tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage. • Organises and financially supports cultural and local thematic (historic, nature, local and so on) events and festivals which enhance and enrich the overall tourist experience. Integrated promotion of these values is carried out through the Rural Marketing Plan.
A series of policy measures, programs and approaches are being used to support businesses in tourism, ancillary and other related sectors. CTO runs three different incentive schemes for supporting tou rism businesses, and in particular for the following: • Sustainable investments in the enrichment and upgrading of the tourist product. The scheme aims at supporting private investment initiatives, based on the orientations of the 2003 2010 Strategic Plan for Tourism, through the provision for financial incentives designed for (a) enriching and diversifying the tourism product with the development of special interest products, and (b) the comprehensive upgrading and modernization of existing tourism accommodation. The first call of the scheme was launched in December 2008. The scheme is eligible for cofounding through the European Regional Development Plan for the programming period 2007 2013. • Improvement of the sanitary areas of catering outlets. A program of a total investment €1.8 million, which has been running since 2007 and through which 255 establishments were subsidized. • Adoption and Implementation of ISO9000, ISO14001, OHSAS18001 & HACCP by hotel and tourist establishments and in catering outlets which supports businesses to obtain these certifications.
4.5 Feasibility of social tourism
Excepting funds provided by the Ministry of labour and Social Insurance and the supply from trade unions, no real mechanism exists in Cyprus at the present time.
All stakeholders are in theory interested to develop tourism exchanges. Nevertheless the main interest for public administration and private enterprises remains the fact that Cyprus could receive more clients, especially off season.
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5. LEGISLATIVE PERSPECTIVES
According to CTO, there are no specific legal constraints or problems concerning the development of social tourism in Cyprus, including the Calypso targets.
Furthermore Cyprus complies with the Service Directive.
6. DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS FOR SOCIAL TOURISM
On the national contact point’s opinion, Cyprus is interested to develop tourism exchanges with other countries in Europe. Today the vision and expectations of Calypso are mainly focused in receiving international tourists: • Cyprus is an attractive destination offering Mediterranean life style, beaches, mountains, and a strong cultural heritage. Accommodation is at the standard of Western European countries. • Observing demographic trends in Europe, CTO would like to attract more European seniors, one of the only clienteles travelling off season with a strong purchasing power. At present, seniors from UK and Scandinavia come already between October and May, beneficing lower prices than in high season. National contact point is concerned by the fact that no Scandinavian country is represented in Calypso initiative. • The strong seasonality of destination (80% of the tourist during summer) creates economic difficulties for tourism enterprises and Calypso appears as an opportunity to CTO to enforce activity along the year. In the same way the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises – ACTE is open to welcome Calypso targets off season, and to propose special discounts. ACTE sees the development of these initiatives, at least at the beginning, by focusing on groups instead of individuals, in order to justify travel logistics and discounted packages.
Challenges: • The capacity gap in terms of seats in the flights between summer period and the rest of the year is one of the main barriers, leading to the recommendation from the supply side to first concentrate the development on groups. • In terms of exchange, the strong Cyprus cultural habits of travel and holidays during summer school holidays make difficult the potential of departure for Cypriots off season. Even if seniors are probably the target, which is the most able to go on holiday abroad off season, the strong family links and the involvement of seniors in house and small children care is a real barrier for their mobility during the year. • The low financial capacity of the four targets is also an important barrier to go on holiday. In the same way associations and NGOs have globally low financial capacity and the programs are mostly focused on daily welfare of their members. • Despite that a law obliges accommodation constructed after 1993 to have at least 5% of their rooms accessible to disabled people, at the present not many rooms (no precise data) are effectively accessible. One main law on accessibility runs in Cyprus, linked with tourism: streets, building and monuments accessibility. But, as in many countries in Europe, the effort to achieve accessibility remains important. • A strong majority still organizes their trips through travel agencies and the use of the Internet is still not very common for a large part of the population. Access to information for Calypso targets remains a challenge.
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At this stage the most advanced initiatives come from trade unions. There are open to participate and enforce exchanges of their members, or to receive non members in their own apart hotels. The main difficulty identified by them is again to encourage and to help Cypriots to leave out of summer holidays. • Any trade union or social organization can be a bilateral partner of Cyprus trade unions. Partners should agree in particular on the services expected in the Cypriot camps, the prices and the conditions for reservation. • Special prices can be proposed to these partners or can be the same price as for the Cypriot non members. But if the European partners want more services than those which are provided now, they will have to pay extra fees. • Currently Cyprus trade unions are already in contact with other European trade unions: SEK is in contact with Romanian and Ukrainian trade unions, examining the possibility of cooperating in this field. PEO organizes exchanges with Polish and Hungarian trade unions (about 70 to 100 people per year come to Cyprus).
7. WEB PORTALS
There are currently some web portals from associations, NGOs and trade unions presenting tourism initiatives, but none presents available supply on line.
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ANNEXES
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LIST OF INTERVIEWEES
Type of Name Surname Designation Organization Target Interview date organization
National contact 27.01.2010 Marios Tsianakas Tourist officer KOT Cyprus Tourism Organization Public authority point 02.02.2010
Maria Christodoulou Youth officer Cyprus Youth Board Public authority Youth 03.03.2010
Andreas Matsas European affairs Cyprus Workers Confederation SEK 26.01.2010 Pensioners' Department (All Cyprus Families Independant Pensioners' Committee PESYS) Seniors Secretary of Public Trade Union Youth Department Youth Nicos Epistithiou and International 01.02.2010 Families Department Relations
Pancyprian Federation of Labour PEO Families Executive officer Pensioners' Department Pieris Pieri Trade Union Seniors 16.02.2010 Welfare found Youth Department Youth Families Department
Non profit Pancyprian Organization of Large Paraskevas Samaras President private Families 16.02.2010 Families POP organisation 10.02.2010 Do not coordinate Kalia Martides European Affairs Union of Cyprus Municipalities Public authority Families this kind of activities Non profit The Pancyprian Organisation of Efthimios Srouthos President private Families No answer Families with 3 children organisation Non profit Pancyprian Federation for the Welfare Androulla Paschalidou Officer private Seniors 26.01.2010 of the Elderly – POSEI organisation Non profit 26.01.2010 The Pancyprian Organization for Demetris Lambrianides President private Disabled Same person as Disabled Persons organisation CCOD The Pancyprian Parents Association Non profit Constantinos Ephrem President for People with Mental Handicaps private Disabled 26.01.2010 PASYGOKA organisation Non profit Cyprus Confederation of Demetris Lambrianides Vice President private Disabled 26.01.2010 Organisations of the Disabled CCOD organisation 25.01.2010 Regional Spyros Elenodorou PRESIDENT Larnaca District Development Agency Families no social tourism authorities initiative
Zacharias Loannides Director General Cyprus Hotel Association Private No answer
Association of Cyprus Tourist Phidias Karis General Manager Private 17.02.2010 Enterprises ACTE
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LIST OF DOCUMENTS
• Tourism statistics 2008, Republic of Cyprus • Demographic report 2007 2008, Republic of Cyprus • National anti Poverty Network Cyprus, EAPN European Anti poverty Network • Social Security Programs in Cyprus, Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance • Unemployment Insurance and Social Welfare in Cyprus, Louis N. Christofides, University of Cyprus • Country report: Ageing in Cyprus, Economic and financial aspects – Paraskevoulla Meitani, 2006 • Report on National Follow up to the UNECE Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS) of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), Republic of Cyprus, April 2007 • Holiday Subsidy Scheme for Elderly and Disabled Persons, Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance • Social tourism program run by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance for 2009 • Social Policy – Annual Holidays with Pay, Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance • Key features of the national social protection system • ANED: Academic Network Of European Disability experts, Cyprus country profile • COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Situation of disabled people in the European Union: the European Action Plan 2008 2009 • Annual report 2008, Cyprus Youth Board • Young People and the enlarged EU: Employment Mobility Participation, Andreas PH. MATSAS, A PUBLICATION OF SEK Youth • Youth in Cyprus, aspiration, lifestyle and empowerment – Cyprus human development report 2009, University of Nicosia, KADEM, UNDP • www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/mlsi.nsf/dmlindex_en/dmlindex_en: Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance – department of Social Welfare Services • www.sek.org.cy/ Cyprus Workers Confederation • www.peo.org.cy/ Pancyprian Federation of Labour • www.pasydy.org/ Pancyprian Public Servants Trade Union – PASYDY • http://www.youthboard.org.cy/english/default.asp: Cyprus Youth Board • www.cyc.org.cy/: Cyprus Youth Council • http://www.ucm.org.cy/ENG/Index.aspx: union of Cyprus Municipalities • http://www.anetel.com/english/index.html: Larnaca District Development • http://coface eu.org/en/About COFACE/What is COFACE/: Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union • www.paraquip.com.cy: Paraquip Cyprus • www.disability cyprus.com: Disability Cyprus • www.ca touristapts.com: C&ATourist Apartments
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DETAILED ANNEXES
GOVERNMENTAL ASPECTS AND POLICIES
THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL INSURANCE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS/SERVICES Main structure helping people to go on holidays /Institutions: Social Insurance Services Social Welfare Services Department of Labour Department of Labour Inspection Department of Labour Relations (Industrial Relations Service) Cyprus Productivity Centre Higher Technical Institute (HTI) Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus (HHIC) European Social Fund Unit
The Department of Social Insurance Services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance is responsible among others for: The application of the government policy in the area of social insurance with the implementation of specific schemes and measures, The submission of suggestions regarding government policy aiming to the continuous improvement of the social security based on the international developments and social and economic conditions of Cyprus, The identification of social and economic needs that can be confronted with social security, and The continuous study and evaluation of the schemes and measures which are implemented by the Department in connection with the prescribed targets.
The Social Welfare Services Department is part of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. The Social Welfare Services aim to safeguard social cohesion and social solidarity; to provide social protection, achieve social inclusion and promote equal opportunities for all citizens in the Republic of Cyprus; to combat poverty and social exclusion and to promote the interests of individuals, families and communities. In order to achieve the above mentioned goals the Social Welfare Services: Safeguard every individual’s right to a decent standard of living; Provide vocational training to public assistance beneficiaries in order to enter/re enter the labour market, thus achieving their social inclusion; Provide support to the family unit so family members may effectively perform their role; Support families and individuals who are facing social problems; Provide protection and care to children and other vulnerable groups of people; Sensitize non governmental organizations and local authorities to provide quality social services on the local level; Upgrade the Services, provided by State Institutions and foster families to vulnerable groups of people.
GOVERNMENTAL POLICY REGARDING OLD CITIZENS
CARE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE. Government policy for older people developed social services, which aim at supporting the independence of older people in their own environment instead of having them institutionalized. Such services provided by the department of Social Welfare are: a) Financial Assistance b) Home care
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c) Day care and d) Residential care programs a) Financial assistance Special benefits may be granted under the Public Assistance Law to purchase services, such as accommodation, care or home help. Carers and helpers may be relatives, neighbours or other individuals or groups. b) Home care programme The Home Care Programme has been expanded throughout Cyprus. There are governmental, nongovernmental and mostly private home cares. The main aim of the service is to support the elderly to stay in their own environment. Cleaning, cooking, shopping and transport for medical purposes are some of the services provided. c) Day care Day care programmes have been developed mainly by the non governmental sector especially the Trade Unions, the Municipalities and the Church. These organizations have their own Homes for the elderly. There, the elderly take their meals, have their clothes washed and are free to participate in the entertainment programme of the Home. d) Residential-Home Programme Residential care is provided either in governmental, non governmental or private Homes. Governmental Services may meet the costs of residential care fully or partly depending on a resident's income. The functioning of non governmental Homes is regulated by legislation, which sets minimum standards and empowers the Social Welfare Services to ensure that the standards are met.
ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS a) Social Insurance Scheme The most important measure in Cyprus in the field of social protection is the Social Insurance Scheme, which covers compulsorily all persons gainfully occupied in Cyprus either as employed or self employed individuals. Voluntary insurance can follow after a prescribed period of compulsory insurance provided that the individual works in Cyprus. The Scheme also covers persons who work abroad in the service of Cypriot employers. The Social Insurance Scheme is financed by contributions paid by the employers, the insured persons and the State. The Social Insurance Scheme provides the following benefits: Old Age Pension, Widow's Pension, Invalidity Pension, Disablement Pension, Death Benefit, Injury Benefit, Orphan's Benefit, Marriage Grant, Maternity Grant, Funeral Grant, Maternity Allowance, Sickness Benefit, Unemployment Benefit.
Old Age Pension Old Age Pension is payable at the age of 65 for men and women. The payment of the pension is payable to all insured persons, irrespective of category of insurance (i.e. employed persons, self employed persons and voluntary insured persons). Old age Pension can be paid from the age of 63, if the insured person satisfies additional contribution conditions. A person who does not satisfy the contribution conditions at the age of 65 is allowed to continue the payment of contributions until the age of 68. If at that age he/ she does not satisfy the contribution conditions for the payment of Old Age Pension, he/she is entitled to a lump sum provided that he has contributions for at least three years. Old age pension is composed of a basic pension and a pension supplementary pension: the minimum pension for 2008 was per month €300.80 (£176.05) for a beneficiary without dependants, €401.07 (£234.74) for a beneficiary with one dependant, €451.20 (£264.08) for a beneficiary with two dependants and €501,33 (£293.42) for a beneficiary with three dependants. b) Supplementary Pension Schemes
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Many employees in the private, government and semi government sectors are covered by occupational schemes, which provide benefits in addition to those of the statutory Social insurance Scheme. The occupational schemes take the form of either provident funds or occupational pension schemes. c) Social Pension For people who are not covered by the above schemes the government has established a Social Pension Scheme without contributions. It covers persons who have reached the age of 65 and are not entitled to any pension from other sources. The majority of these people are housewives. d) Social allowances Pensioners whose pension is under £500 receive a special allowance as a counterbalance to the tax revision. e) Other Benefits 1) Social Card: The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance issued a Social Card to all persons 63 years of age and over. The cardholder can enjoy certain benefits such as discounts at bus, plane or ship fares, reduced theatre and hotel fees, and cheaper medical tests. 2) Holiday Subsidy: The Holiday Subsidy Scheme supports the cost of holidays in Cyprus for persons over 63 years of age who are on welfare benefit. 3) Self employment Scheme: This is a new scheme with the aim of keeping persons over 63 years actively involved in economic and productive activity. Grants are provided for the purchase of equipment and for materials for activities such as agriculture breeding, home made f) Health Care Expenditure There are three systems providing health services and satisfying the medical needs of the population in Cyprus. There is the Government Health Sector, the Private Health Sector and a number of schemes covering specific sections of the population. 1) Government Provision Care is provided free of charge or at low fees depending on the income of every person or through government facilities to those who are eligible. The groups formally covered by this scheme are: government employees, individuals earning less than £9000, households earning less than £18000 annually, and households with more than three children. 2) Private Health Sector: It is open to all those who can afford to pay for their treatment. 3) Special Schemes: A number of special schemes cover specific sections of the population (for example, medical services provided by Trade Unions to their members).
GOVERNMENTAL POLICY REGARDING DISABLED
National law and strategy • Cyprus has signed the United Nations Convention and the Optional Protocol. • Important national laws, policies and strategies concerning disabled people include: Persons with Disabilities Act 127(Ι) του 2000 establishes disabled people’s rights to non discrimination in all areas of life and emphasises their rights for independent living, social inclusion and equal participation.
Social protection Key features of the national system include (including adapted items from the MISSOC database December 2008):
Disability benefits The most important disability benefits are: • Severe Mobility Impairment Benefit: This scheme is in force since 1992 and it is addressed to paraplegic and quadriplegic persons. It is a monthly allowance, which at the
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end of 2007 was CY£ 172.92. This amount is subject to changes every six months, according to the cost of living index. • Financial Assistance for Disabled People’s Special Needs Benefit and Sponsoring of Disability Organisations Benefit: This scheme is in force since 1988 and it aims to facilitate the living conditions of disabled people, promote independent living and equal participation of disabled people in the society and economy. This is expected to be achieved through the provision of technical means and other equipment. In 2007, a total of CY£ 284.831,27 was allocated through this scheme to 454 individuals who required technical means and other equipment. A total of CY£ 64.900 was allocated to disability organizations to cover their expenses. • Holidays for Disabled People Benefit: This scheme is in force since 1998 and it aims to sponsor the holidays of disabled people and their families in hotels around Cyprus. This benefit is allocated to disabled people who are not recipients of any other benefit. In 2007, 193 individuals applied for this benefit and a total of CY£ 72.621,74 was spent. • Financial Assistance for Wheelchairs Benefit for People with Severe Mobility Impairment: This scheme is in force since 1999. In 2007, a total of CY£ 89.948,90 was spent to 128 individuals who applied for a wheelchair. • Wheelchair Distribution Scheme: This scheme is about lending used wheelchairs to people who need them. The wheelchairs belong to the Service for the Care of Disabled People, which is responsible for completing the necessary procedures. • Public Assistance Allowance: It is allocated to specific groups of the population in an attempt to reduce the risk of poverty. It ensures the right to a decent standard of living through the provision of financial assistance and/or social services to persons, whose resources are not sufficient to meet their basic and special needs as determined by legislation. Basic needs include food, clothing and footwear, electricity, supply of water, healthy living conditions and pocket money allowance. Special needs include rent, special diet and disability allowances, as well as allowances for home care, day care and residential care. It is also possible to provide assistance for house repairs, mortgage interest, heating etc. • Reinforcement of Families Scheme for Caring about the Elderly or/and Disabled Members of the Family: This scheme allocates up to CY£ 7,000 for changes in buildings so that they become accessible for their elderly or disabled members. In 2007, eleven families received this allowance. • Sponsoring of Holidays Schemes for Elderly People and for Disabled People who are also Recipients of the Public Assistance Allowance: This scheme sponsors holidays in Cyprus for elderly people (63+) and disabled people who are also recipients of the Public Assistance Allowance. The allowance is CY£ 150 for holidays with duration of six days. When necessary the amount of CY£ 150 is also allocated for an assistant.
Rehabilitation and re training • Rehabilitation services are offered in public hospitals. • Re training programmes are offered at the Centre of Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled People. This is a state centre which runs a limited number of training programmes for disabled people.
Preferential employment and quotas There is piecemeal legislation regarding employment, giving priority to the hiring of different groups of disabled people in the Civil Service. In what follows, the most important acts are listed: • The 1987 Civil Educational Service (Amended) Act (N.180/87, Amendatory Act of N.10/69 Civil Educational Service Act): It legitimizes a quota of 3% for hiring disabled people in the Civil Educational Service and a quota of 5% for hiring people who became disabled as a result of war. • The 1988 Blind Telephone Operators Act (N.17/1988): It legitimizes the right of blind telephone operators who possess all the required qualifications to have a priority whenever there are vacancies of telephone operators in the Civil Service, the Civil
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Educational Service, and in legal persons of public right. In case that there are no blind candidates, other disabled people can be employed according to priority, having in mind that they possess all the necessary qualifications. • The 1990 Civil Service Act (N.1/1990): It gives priority to the hiring of disabled people in the cases they demonstrate equal qualifications with other candidates. • The 1992 Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled People and Depended Persons of Killed, Missing, Disabled and Pent Persons Act (N.53(I)/1992): It legitimizes a quota of 10% for the hiring in the Civil Service of disabled people and depended persons of killed, missing, disabled and pent persons. • The 1997 Vocational Rehabilitation of War Disabled People and Children of Missing Persons Act (N.55(I)/97) • The 1998 Vocational Rehabilitation of War Victims and Children of Pent Persons (N.100(I)/1998): It legitimizes a quota of 10% for the hiring in the Civil Service of war (disabled) victims and children of pent persons.
Long term support and care • The Public Assistance Allowance ensures the right to a decent standard of living through the provision of financial assistance and/or social services to persons, whose resources are not sufficient to meet their basic and special needs as determined by legislation. • The current annual rate of allowance for basic need is: CY£ 2,678 for the recipient (head of household); CY£ 1,339 for every dependant aged 14 and over; CY£ 709 for every dependent aged under 14. • Recipients who are not home owners receive a rent allowance equal to 50% of the total monthly allowance. In case of a disabled recipient, an additional disability • Recipients who are not home owners receive a rent allowance equal to 50% of the total monthly allowance. In case of a disabled recipient, an additional disability allowance, equal to 50% the personal basic allowance, is payable. • The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance runs two schemes for elderly and disabled people: o Reinforcement of Families Scheme for Caring about the Elderly or/and Disabled Members of the Family: This scheme allocates up to CY£ 7,000 for changes in buildings so that they become accessible for their elderly or disabled members. In 2007, eleven families received this allowance. o Sponsoring of Holidays Schemes for Elderly People and for Disabled People who are also Recipients of the Public Assistance Allowance: This scheme sponsors holidays in Cyprus for elderly people (63+) and disabled people who are also recipients of the Public Assistance Allowance. The allowance is CY£ 150 for holidays with duration of six days. When necessary the amount of CY£ 150 is also allocated for an assistant.
TRADE UNIONS ASPECTS AND POLICIES
CYPRUS WORKERS CONFEDERATION - SEK SEK is the biggest trade union in Cyprus (only independent trade union) with 68 association’s members representing 72.000 individual members, mainly in the private sector. The main duties of the members association are to negotiate and achieve collective agreements, and to be part of the production policy mechanism on vocational issues. SEK is organised in different departments: Legal Department, Information Department, All Cyprus Athletic Association of Workers (PASEK), Pensioners' Department, Department of Safety, Health and Environment, Trade Union School, Working Women's Department, Youth Department
The basic aims and pursuits of SEK are: 1. To enrol as members and to unite all workers of Cyprus in an autonomous professional force, and to improve their general economic and social conditions.
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2. To coordinate the trade union struggle on an all Cyprus basis and to combine it with the struggle of the Free Democratic Unions members of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), to protect the moral, economic and professional interests of workers. 3. To increase productivity in order to secure plenty goods for better living conditions of workers and the society. 4. To secure conditions of full employment, free choice of work, personal safety, comprehensive social insurance, and free negotiation of labour terms. 5. Freedom of thought, speech, work, strike, membership of trade unions, and fighting totalitarian systems. 6. Promoting social, moral, political and national interests of the member organisations, with any legal means. 7. Securing democratic institutions, promoting friendship and peace among peoples and the safeguarding and exercising of persons' and peoples' rights, based on the principles of the International Declaration of the United Nations on Human Rights, 1948, (which includes the principle of self determination) and the Statutes of ICFTU and ETUC. 8. To promote the idea of a United Europe, so as to safeguard the democratic and human rights of citizens and to promote social justice for all citizens of the European continent countries, without abolishing or violating the concept of the homeland and national borders. 9. To monitor the proper operation, the honourable management and concrete development of Free Workers' Associations, Confederations and all Cyprus Trade Unions, on clearly democratic socialist lines, in the framework of the Trade Union Law. 10. The struggle to provide plenty educational means and the intense effort to spiritually raise and morally educate labour masses on healthy socialist principles, in the framework of the Greek Christian traditions and customs of our forefathers and the respect of the rights of the minorities.
Members SEK members are the Free Labour Associations representing workers in various sectors of economic activity. The Associations are organised on a district basis and unite on an all Cyprus basis in Federations representing specific sectors of employment. There are 68 Associations, which are members of SEK, i.e. 10 in Nicosia Kyrenia, 8 in Limassol, 8 in Famagusta, 13 in Larnaca, 7 in Paphos and 23 with an all Cyprus nature. The Federations, which are members of SEK, represent and professionally express workers in sectors of the economy. Their main duty is to negotiate and achieve collective agreements, and is part of the production policy mechanism on vocational issues. • The professional Federations, members of SEK, are the following: • Federation of Private Sector Workers • Federation of Industrial Workers • Federation of Builders, Miners and Relevant Professions • Federation of Transport, Petroleum and Agriculture Workers • Federation of Government, Military and Civil Services Workers • Federation of Semi Governmental Associations • Federation of Hotel Industry Workers Representatives of the Federations are the Free Labour Associations, which represent workers in various sectors of economic activity. The Associations are organised on a district basis. There are 68 Associations, which are members of SEK, i.e. 10 in Nicosia Kyrenia, 8 in Limassol, 8 in Famagusta, 13 in Larnaca, 7 in Paphos and 23 with an all Cyprus nature.
Apart from the professional services towards its members, the protection of their interests at work and the services offered by the various departments institutions information, SEK offers a series of other services. The main services are: Medical treatment Annual Leave (see full detail in annex):
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o SEK camps o Trips abroad for SEK members o Subsidised workers' leave Cooperative Bank Provident Funds
Annual Leave: Utilisation of annual leave Over the past few years, there has been a substantive improvement in utilising annual leave. More and more workers take part in organised trips and spend their holidays abroad. The great majority of workers spend their leave in SEK and other camps, as well as hotels, which have started to offer special prices to SEK members. Welfare funds from different Federations members of SEK are subsidizing 250€ per members to go on holidays. This subsidy is fixed by the federations and does not depend on the level of member contribution or level of wealth. Each member can be benefiting every third year.
SEK camps SEK own six camps representing 270 hotel apartments, which can accommodate 1.100 persons. These apartments provide kitchen, and 2 apartment per camp are accessible to people with motor disabilities In 2009 SEK camps have accommodated 5.500 families representing 20.500 people These camps are opened to all persons, during the year and exclusively reserved to SEK members during July and August. Actually these camps are mainly frequented by SEK members who are beneficiaries of welfare found Rates: • Apartment for 4 persons: 25€ per night for members and 30€ for non members • Apartment for 6 persons: 28€ per night for members and 34€ for non members The occupancy rate (%) of the camps during July and August is 100%, but varies during the rest of the year with a 20% drop on average during low season frequenting is concentrated during the weekends before or after public holidays, national days or religious holidays, like green Monday, 1st October, 25th March and some others. The main availabilities (period) are from September 15 up to end of June. Holidays booking for members and non members are made through internal mechanism in all Labour Centres (regional offices of the Confederation). For the high season (July and August) bookings can only be made through the welfare funds and only through a central mechanism based in the head offices of the Confederation in Nicosia. The aim of SEK is not to have any commercial benefit from these activities. The goal and efforts are to be financially able to cover the running, maintenance and renovation expenses from the subsidy they get from the Ministry of Labour (holyday fund), the contributions from the different welfare funds, the money paid by the members and not members and the subsidies to the members from the welfare funds.
Tourist Infrastructure infrastructure User profile Capacity Number of type location employees
children camps, young people, mountain vacation pensioners and family Amiantos resort/ vacation, 190 beds 8 training centre trade union officials and members vacation Protaras family vacation 250 beds 11 apartments resort mountain vacation Kannavia 5 resort children camps, young people, 300 beds
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pensioners and family vacation
vacation Paralimni apartments resort/ family vacation >200 beds 8 training centre vacation Paphos family vacation 130 beds 3 apartments resort vacation Pissouri family vacation 110 beds apartments resort
SEK has built the camps and operates them • Paralimni Area (Apartments Complex No 1) An apartment’s complex is located at the Kapparis area (Eastern coasts) which is basically an extension of the Protaras popular resort and just a few minutes’ walk from the seaside. This complex consists of 65 apartments of which 31 one bedroom and 34 two bedroom. All apartments are well and fully equipped with furniture and housework utilities and are fully air conditioned. The two bedroom apartments are consisted of the master bedroom, an extra bedroom with two single beds and a living room with a sofa and an armrest which can be both converted into supplementary beds. In special cases, an extra camp bed and a baby bed (play pen) can be provided. All rooms are fully air conditioned (split units of cold and warm air), have a private television and cooking facilities. There is also a communal swimming pool, umbrellas and sun beds available free of charge for residents, as well as a cafeteria and restaurant serving food and drinks at subsidized prices. All apartments have their own parking space for one car per unit.
• Paralimni Area (Apartments Complex No 2- OEKDY-SEK) A second complex of apartments is located a couple of kilometres upwards at the Paralimni area (Eastern coasts), still just a few minutes’ walk from the seaside and with unobstructed view to the sea and the occupied (ghost town) of Famagusta. This complex consists of 55 apartments of which 33 one bedroom, 20 two bedroom and 2 studios. All apartments are well and fully equipped with furniture and housework utilities and are fully air conditioned. The two bedroom apartments are consisted of the master bedroom, an extra bedroom with two single beds and a living room with a sofa and an armrest which can be both converted into supplementary beds. In special cases, an extra camp bed and a baby bed (play pen) can be provided. All rooms are fully air conditioned (split units of cold and warm air), have a private television and cooking facilities. There is also a communal swimming pool, umbrellas and sun beds available free of charge for residents, as well as a cafeteria and restaurant serving food and drinks at subsidized prices. Most apartments have their own parking space for one car per unit. The complex has special facilities for the implementation of seminars and educational programs and projects, including a seminar room with interpretation facilities, as well as small meeting rooms for working groups. The resort has also a specially arranged area, both indoors and outdoors, for kids of various ages.
• Pissouri Apartments
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Since July 2006, a new side at Pissouri bay (South western coasts) Melanta area is established on a cliff overlooking the beach. This complex consists of 37 apartments of which 20 one bedroom and 17 two bedroom. All apartments are well and fully equipped with furniture and housework utilities and are fully air conditioned. The one bedroom apartments have a master bedroom (double bed) and a living room with a sofa and an armrest which can be both converted into supplementary beds. The two bedroom apartments are consisted of the master bedroom, an extra bedroom with two single beds and a living room with a sofa and an armrest which both can be turned into supplementary beds. In special cases, an extra camp bed and a baby bed (play pen) can be provided. All rooms are fully air conditioned (split units of cold and warm air), have a private television and cooking facilities. There is also a communal swimming pool, umbrellas and sun beds available free of charge for residents, as well as a cafeteria and restaurant serving food and drinks at subsidized prices. The resort has also a specially arranged area, both indoors and outdoors, for kids of various ages.
• Paphos Tourist Area (Apartments Complex – OOIM-SEK) Another complex of apartments is located in the tourist area of Paphos (52 Palaipaphos Street), only a few minutes away from the sea and the night life of Paphos (Western coasts). This complex consists of 29 apartments of which 24 one bedroom and 5 two bedroom. All apartments are well and fully equipped with furniture and housework utilities and are fully air conditioned. The one bedroom apartments have a master bedroom (two single beds) and a living room with a sofa and an armrest which can be both converted into supplementary beds. The two bedroom apartments are consisted of the master bedroom (two single beds), an extra bedroom with two single beds and a living room with a sofa and an armrest which can be both converted into supplementary beds. In special cases, an extra camp bed and a baby bed (play pen) can be provided. All rooms are fully air conditioned (split units of cold and warm air), have a private television and cooking facilities. There is also a communal swimming pool, umbrellas and sun beds available free of charge for residents. There are no cafeteria or restaurant facilities available at the resort. All apartments have their own parking space for one car per unit.
• Kato Amiantos Area A new complex of apartments is located at the mountainous village of Kato Amiantos in an attempt to provide SEK members and workers in general with the opportunity to spend their vacation on the mountains. The second face of this complex was completed in 2008 and the complex is located in an inviting and magic forest area, only a few kilometres away from Troodos Mountains (Main Square), the traditional wine producing villages of the island and the popular resort villages of Platres, Kakopetria, Kyperounta and others. This complex consists of 41 apartments of which 31 two bedroom and 10 one bedroom. All apartments are well and fully equipped with furniture and housework utilities, cooking facilities, entertainment units and are fully air conditioned. There is also a communal swimming pool, umbrellas and sun beds available free of charge for residents, as well as a cafeteria and restaurant (available only in July and August) serving food and drinks at subsidized prices. All apartments have their own parking space for one car per unit.
• Kannavia Complex- (OOIM-SEK)
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A recently renovated complex of apartments/ rooms is located in a mountainous and forest area at the picturesque and traditional village of Kannavia, lying just 20 minutes’ drive from the popular village of Kakopetria. This complex which has been recently renovated consists of 6 two bedroom apartments and 23 individual rooms. All apartments are well and fully equipped with furniture and housework utilities, light cooking facilities, entertainment units and are fully air conditioned. There is also a communal swimming pool, umbrellas and sun beds available free of charge for residents, as well as a cafeteria providing full board accommodation (available only in August and September). The complex is well equipped and specially designed in order to accommodate special vacation programs on a full board basis, designed for groups such as young people, kids, pensioners, as well as families. Adequate parking space is available.
Trips abroad for SEK members For many years, the trips were organised by the SEK Central Organising Office and all members, irrespective of age, participated. Over the past few years, the district Labour Centres organise trips for their members, under the supervision of SEK. At the same time, the Youth, Women's and Pensioners' Departments organise their own trips, thus giving the opportunity to a larger number of members to take part and special arrangements are made to meet the needs of the members of each department. Recently, SEK tendered a competition and reached an agreement with a specific tourist organisation to provide special trip prices and packages for SEK members, in the context of efforts to further broaden its services towards it members. Example of trips abroad: • Cruise on Greek island from 3 to 8 days (800€ per family for 3 days). SEK negotiate a discount and pay directly the operator • Special trips with discount for pensioners mainly in Greece and Istanbul in September and October
The Central Leave Fund The Central Leave Fund was established according to the Annual Paid Leave Law of 3.3.1967. The Law provides that all employers are obliged to contribute to the Fund to safeguard the holidays of their employees. Furthermore, the Law gives the right of exclusion to those employers who provide paid leave to their employees, with better terms than those provided for by the Law. The Law sets out the minimum annual leave, which is now three full weeks. SEK, through its policy that leave must be given according to the service of workers, achieved along with the other trade unions to include in collective agreements longer annual leave than that provided for by the Law. Today, many employers are excluded from the provisions of the Law, as they provide longer annual leave. Until then, the trade unions had their own funds, which operated successfully for over twenty years. The Fund pays for leave one year after the date on which the employers made their contributions for their employees.
Subsidising workers' leave Since it was established, the Central Leave Fund subsidises workers who take leave through the Fund, in order to properly utilise their leave. The board of the Fund, in cooperation with the labour and employers' organisations, sets out criteria and subsidises holidays in hotels situated in Cyprus Mountains. Over the time, the Plan was expanded to subsidise holidays at seaside resorts. Initiatives from SEK: • 200 rented apartments for individuals • Holidays for hotel employees in September • Free week in a camp for children’s members from 9 to 13 years old with educational activities, football stage, etc.
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The criteria have been set out in a way that on one hand encourages workers to use the plan, and on the other gives priority to low income workers. Special attention was given to the time period the Plan is in effect, so as to cater for members' preferences of seaside or mountain resorts. To encourage internal tourism, a second plan was implemented, to cover weekend holidays. The Central Leave Fund also subsidises holidays at trade union holiday sites, for workers, families and pensioners.
PANCYPRIAN FEDERATION OF LABOUR - PEO PEO is an umbrella organization for trade unions with 68.000 members. PEO is the coordinating Federation of its nine affiliated Trade Unions. The Federation of PEO represents workers from all sectors of the economy in every District. The Federation is active in the consumers’ protection and places emphasis in solving consumers’ problems. The department is partly funded by government. The nine affiliated trade unions offer subsidies to their members to go on holiday (special offers in Cyprus hotels, stays in their own hotel apartments, trade unions members’ exchanges, subsidised cruise and trips, children members’ campsites) PEO owns and operates 2 hotel apartments, one on Larnaca sea side (65 apartments), and one in Limassol mountains area (40 apartments) o Members pay 40 to 45€ per day per apartment. These apartments are reserved to members during summer holidays and open to all people the rest of the year. o According to partnerships with foreign trade unions, European exchanges are organized (PEO’s camps accommodate European trade unions’ members and foreign trade union’s camp accommodate PEO’s members). Bilateral partnerships are organized with Poland and Hungary. PEO’s camps receive from 70 to 100 foreign people every year. An online web portal has been created in Malta by General Workers Union of Malta providing only for trade unions (with secure enter code) an overview of offers (trips, packages,..). Trips abroad and cruises are organized and subsidized (PEO negotiate discount with private service providers): the main destination organized trips is Greece. But if there is special interest from any Department or group of members or pensioners, PEO organized trips to Europe, and Asia. Pensioner department usually organize their own trips, for example one week to Greece or Bulgaria (mainly for medical excursions in spas), or cruise on Greek island (every year 600 seniors participate) PEO negotiate discounts’ contracts with service providers’ and rent apartments and hotel rooms for individuals. Members pay approximately 50 to 70% of the market price. 4 camping weeks in Cyprus are organized for children members’ from 10 to 13 years old. Each week about 150 children participate to these camps.
ASSOCIATIONS AND NGOS ASPECTS AND ACTIONS
PASYDY The members of the union of the public servants of Cyprus (15,000), are organised in professional branches (76), which cover all grades in a professional hierarchy. The branches cover the whole range of professional status in the country's public service from the lowest of Office Assistant to the top post of Director General or Permanent Secretary of Ministries. Organised in PASYDY ranks are 98% of the white collar public servants As laid down in its Rules and Constitution the objectives of PASYDY are: 1. To improve the terms and conditions of employment and protect the professional interests and rights of the public servants through collective negotiations with the Public Authority and/or through other lawful means.
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2. To raise the cultural, moral and professional standard of its members. 3. To cultivate and develop comradeship amongst its members. 4. To promote and strengthen the unity of the trade union movement in Cyprus. 5. To cooperate with and/or join other trade unions in Cyprus and other foreign countries for the promotion and defence of common professional objectives and interests. 6. To establish cooperative organizations and any other institutions which promote the interests and welfare of its members. 7. To offer benefits and monetary aid to members and their dependents.
PASYDY being the sole trade union of all public servants of the island covers groups of a big variety of occupations with an enormous range of specialities and trade characteristics. Its members cover trades such as clerical, accounting, technical, postal services, forestry and agriculture, architects and doctors, educationists at the supervising level, diplomatic employees, and administrators. The range of professions extends vertically and horizontally. The members of PASYDY start from the lowest grades and go up to the highest level. The Heads of Departments who are in effect within the management are also members of PASYDY with their own professional branch.
PASYDY offers to his member’s low cost holidays in his apart hotels and campsite. • PASYDY Holiday Resorts in Paphos: PASYDY offers to members, all over the year, the opportunity to visit Paphos (Chloraka area), and spend with their families a few days at the Holiday Resorts of the Union • PASYDY Holiday Resorts in Platres: Members can also visit PASYDY Platres apartments on Troodos mountain, where they can spend a few days with their families • Children’s Camping on Troodos: Every summer, members’ children (aged 9 14), can participate in the PASYDY Children’s Camping, sited on Troodos mountain, spending a week following an educational and recreational programme, under the supervision of a qualified personnel
YOUTH BOARD The Youth Board of Cyprus, which succeeded the Central Youth Agency, was established by virtue of Law 33(1)/94, unanimously enacted by the House of Representatives in April 1994. Its first Governing Board was appointed in June 1994.
The enactment of this Law was the result of the cooperation between the Government and the Political Youth Organisations of the country. The Governing Board consists of seven members: a representative from the youth organisations of each political party with a parliamentary team in the House of Representatives and three members who are appointed directly by the Council of Ministers.
The Minister of Justice and Public Order acts as the liaison between the Youth Board of Cyprus and the Council of Ministers. The Board's budget is covered by State subsidy.
The Youth Board of Cyprus is a semi governmental organisation, independent of the civil service, with its own structure and staff, mainly composed of officers and associates employed on a contract basis.
PASYGOKA No official data on people with mental disability in Cyprus. According to the President of the association there might be approximately 3.500 people with mental disability. PASYGOKA is an association for parents of children with mental disabilities (350 members) which aim at promoting rights of people with mental disability, fully financed by government. The association is member of National Committee composed by 5 government officials and 5
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members of the association in charge lobbying and advising on people with mental disability policy Greek association of Disabled offers a number of places in campsites for holidays Holiday’s uses: • Families go mainly in Cyprus, some are going abroad, mainly in Greece • Especially in summer
Main problems to go on holiday: • Financial problems: families are able to go on holiday only because they receive an help from the government • Problem with transport (public transport are very bad)