Organization for Youth Education & Development (OYED)

Laws Concerning Youth in Cyprus

Laws Concerning Youth in Cyprus

Cyprus does not have a broad legislation concerning youth but it has always dealt with youth issues and the EU Youth Strategy, adopted in November 2009, reinforced the existing priorities. In the field of education, Cyprus participates in the Socrates - Erasmus programme to promote cross-border professional and vocational opportunities for young people. Besides that, there is an Inter-ministerial Consulting Committee on Youth consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order [1]. Furthermore, the Government is utilising EU Funding opportunities to carry out initiatives targeted at young people, such as the Operational Programme 2007-2013 “Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Program” [2] co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Finally, the Cyprus Government supports the development and education of youth-workers by founding specific initiatives [3], such as the organization of workshops on Europass which guide young people for work interviews, as well as the “Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme of Ministry of Commerce” and the “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Project”. [4]


The most relevant law concerning youth are following:

 

2006

  • Ο Περ? Παγκυπρ?ου Συντονιστικο? Συμβουλ?ου Εθελοντισμο? 61(1)2006 – Law  on the Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council/ PVCC [5]
    In 2006, the House of Representatives passed a new legislation governing “the establishment and function of the Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council”. Under the new legislation the Council has a new operational framework, new responsibilities and a broader role for the coordination and development of the voluntary sector and young volunteerism in general.

2001

  • Ο περ?  Προστασ?ας των Ν?ων κατ? την Απασχ?ληση Ν?μος 48(1)2001  - Law  for the protection of Young Persons during their employment, Law 48(1) of 2001 [6]
    This Law regulates the employments contracts for young people. Specifically, in Article 7 this Law establishes the minimum age of admission to employment and fosters youth entrepreneurship, and Article 8 the working hours.

1994

  • Ο περ? Οργανισμο? Νεολα?ας Ν?μος 33(Ι) of 1994 – The Youth Board Law, Law 33(1) of 1994 [7]
    This Law was unanimously enacted by the House of Representatives in April 1994. It established the Youth Board, aimed at the promotion of progress and prosperity for all the young people of Cyprus, and also enhances young people’s active participation in the social, economic and cultural development of the country. The Youth Board of Cyprus is a legal entity of public law and its budget is covered by State subsidy

 

  1. See, National report: First cooperation cycle of the EU Youth Strategy 2010-2012. Available at www.youthpolicy.org.
  2. The aim of the Scheme is to develop, support and encourage the entrepreneurship of young people between the ages of 20-39 who wish to establish an enterprise in any economic activity (manufacturing, e-commerce, services and tourism in traditional buildings). Particular emphasis is given at the development of new technologies, the use of innovative methods of production, promotion of goods and services, environmental entrepreneurship and in general the promotion of modern business activities resulting in the creation of strong competitive businesses.
  3. The Cyprus Government promotes some special housing rules for young people, such as the granting of low priced ready-made dwelling houses to young people from low-income strata and the accommodation problem of students through the construction of Student Halls of Residence and the subleasing of flats at lower prices by Higher and Tertiary Education establishments.
  4. For more information about these and other programs, visit the official page: http://www.youth.org.cy/default.asp?id=397
  5. See, Law  on the Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council/ PVCC, Law No. 61(1)2006 . Available at http://www.volunteerism-cc.org.cy/
  6. See, Law for the protection of Young Persons during their employment, Law 48(1) of 2001. Available at http://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/2001_1_48/full.html
  7. See, The Youth Board Law, Law 33(1) of 1994. Available at http://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/indexes/1994_1_33.html