27/11/2002 17:35
Statements of the Labour Minister, Andreas Mousiouttas
“We have to take the proper measures to ensure that the Greek Cypriot citizens will not shoulder the burden of the Turkish Cypriots with reference to the Social Security sector, after the possible solution of the partition problem, although it seems (from the draft plan) that each component state is to have its own Social Security Fund”, said the Labour Minister, Andreas Mousiouttas.
Mr. Mousiouttas noted that the issue of employment is related to the decline of the large number of immigrant workers in Cyprus that currently amounts to 34 thousand to all sectors of economy, stressing that “a considerable number of Turkish Cypriots can be employed by the new under-Greek Cypriot – administration state, replacing the existing foreign workers”
“The UN peace plan sets out four words that concern our area of competency and these are ‘Social Security and Employment’. The report - yesterday handed to President Clerides - contains the Social Security Fund”, the Minister said.
“I have discussed the issues raised with my collaborators and we have mostly focused on points that require further negotiations to secure a positive agreement”, Mr. Mousiouttas said, avoiding, however to proceed to further revelations. “We have to ensure that a possible solution will not affect negatively the issue of Social Security and we have to be careful so that SSFs do not make use of each other”, he added.
The Minister also clarified that the Cabinet did not concentrate on the responsibilities of the Labour Ministry, but each minister evaluated the Annan plan, discussing the impact this will have on Cyprus.
The debate was not completed today, while President Clerides has not yet received all of the Ministries’ reports. It is noted that the report of the Finance Ministry considered to be “of great importance” has not been submitted yet. It is expected, however, that this will be handed by tomorrow or the day after, before Mr. Clerides’ final answer to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.
“We have to take the proper measures to ensure that the Greek Cypriot citizens will not shoulder the burden of the Turkish Cypriots with reference to the Social Security sector, after the possible solution of the partition problem, although it seems (from the draft plan) that each component state is to have its own Social Security Fund”, said the Labour Minister, Andreas Mousiouttas.
Mr. Mousiouttas noted that the issue of employment is related to the decline of the large number of immigrant workers in Cyprus that currently amounts to 34 thousand to all sectors of economy, stressing that “a considerable number of Turkish Cypriots can be employed by the new under-Greek Cypriot – administration state, replacing the existing foreign workers”
“The UN peace plan sets out four words that concern our area of competency and these are ‘Social Security and Employment’. The report - yesterday handed to President Clerides - contains the Social Security Fund”, the Minister said.
“I have discussed the issues raised with my collaborators and we have mostly focused on points that require further negotiations to secure a positive agreement”, Mr. Mousiouttas said, avoiding, however to proceed to further revelations. “We have to ensure that a possible solution will not affect negatively the issue of Social Security and we have to be careful so that SSFs do not make use of each other”, he added.
The Minister also clarified that the Cabinet did not concentrate on the responsibilities of the Labour Ministry, but each minister evaluated the Annan plan, discussing the impact this will have on Cyprus.
The debate was not completed today, while President Clerides has not yet received all of the Ministries’ reports. It is noted that the report of the Finance Ministry considered to be “of great importance” has not been submitted yet. It is expected, however, that this will be handed by tomorrow or the day after, before Mr. Clerides’ final answer to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.
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