TRNC workers’ unions to receive three seats on the Social Insurance Authority board

A bill has been submitted to the parliament of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that changes the composition of the Social Insurance Authority board: representation for workers’ unions will increase to three members.

The bill amending the law on social insurance for Turkish Cypriots rewrites Article 141 of the existing law and redefines the composition of the board. It will include a representative of the Ministry of Labour, one representative each from the ministries of finance, health and agriculture, a representative of the State Planning Organization, two members from the workers’ union federation with the largest number of insured members, one from the second-largest federation, and a representative of the employers’ association with the largest membership.

The explanatory section of the bill states that its aim is to represent insured people from both the private and public sectors on the board. The representative of the Ministry of Labour will serve as chair ex officio, while the term of office for the chair and members will be two years, with reappointment permitted.

If membership ends prematurely, the organization or institution concerned must appoint a new person within one month, and that person will serve out the remainder of the predecessor’s term. Members representing ministries and the State Planning Organization will be appointed by the institutions themselves; members representing workers’ union federations and the employers’ association will be appointed by their boards, with the final appointment made by the Council of Ministers.

The operating procedure will also change: a meeting may be held with the participation of at least five members, decisions will be taken by a simple majority of those present, and in the event of a tie, the chair’s vote will be decisive. Members voting against a decision may attach a written dissenting opinion with an explanation.

The bill consists of five articles and will enter into force on the day it is published in the Official Gazette. The frequency of board meetings and its operating procedure will be set out in separate ministry regulations to be approved by the Council of Ministers.