Historical Background

The Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus-DEOK was founded in 1962. Only two years after the emergence of The Republic of Cyprus (1960).

The founding fathers of this new labour movement were a group of Union leaders coming from the ranks of the Workers Confederation of Cyprus-SEK. Their main disagreement with the leadership of SEK at that time was about policy making, direction and strategic planning for the Cypriot workers movement.

Given the circumstances of that period, they argued for the adoption of a non-aligned, independent and autonomous workers movement rather than a pro-western, nationalist conservative orientation the leadership of SEK was inclined to follow in strategic and operational issues and principles.

DEOK’s leaders realized that they could not agree in principle with these political choices on such important issues. Therefore, they decided to form a new workers movement, the Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus-DEOK.

Beyond the movement of SEK, there was another labour federation in Cyprus the leftist-communist trade union, the Pancyprian Labour Federation-PEO. That choice was out of question for democratically oriented union leaders and activists such as the founding fathers of the DEOK. PEO was the oldest workers federation in Cyprus founded in 1943 by the Communist Party of Cyprus (AKEL).

The first Congress of the Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus took place in February 4, 1962 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The first elected General Secretary was Mr. Petros Stylianou who served as General Secretary of SEK for a few years prior to these new developments.

The main purpose or the vision of the new movement, as described in the statutes of DEOK was to develop a democratic, sovereign and independent trade union movement as well as the promotion of social justice, labour and human rights of all workers of Cyprus. Equal treatment and opportunities, equality for all, solidarity and higher standard of living for Cypriot workers were among others important goals to be achieved.

The first years began very successfully with many independent trade unions, called Democratic Employees Enosis (DEE), coming to life and joining DEOK. Those DEE were structured on geographical bases all over Cyprus.

Intertrade district organizations and offices were set up as well. By the end of 1963 DEOK consisted of several DEE with around 3000 registered worker-members in all sectors of the economy: the construction and building industry, the furniture and wood industry and in commercial and industrial businesses. A newspaper was published in the first months called “AGONAS” (Struggle).

By the end of 1963 and the beginning of 1964 there was a constitutional crisis in Cyprus followed by blood shed and bicommunal conflicts. The events within the newly established Republic of Cyprus were shocking and resulted in refocusing the attention and priorities of DEOK’s leaders. As a result trade action was almost diminished, thus organizing and supporting the workers in trade unions lost priority.

As a result, the momentum of the successful beginning of DEOK was lost and the movement seized to exercise real practice for many years until the beginning of the 1980. This and following major national events and crises pushed any effort to reorganize DEOK to the sideline. Such events were (a) a terrorist war against the democratic government by a group called EOKA B’ 1968-1974, (b) the military coup-etat against the lawful government on July 15, 1974, (c) the Turkish Military invasion to Cyprus on July 20th 1974.

On the other hand to retrospect to some objective reasons for the failure of that attempt one must admit that the sentimental vision of those that initiated the new movement was not supplemented by the necessary experience and strategic planning as to how to organize a concrete well structured Trade Union Movement. In that respect important negative effects were both the luck of experience and of financial means to support the early years during the effort to establish, the DEOK.

The Reorganization
It was in the end of the year 1980 that some worker activists still linked to DEOK that decided that the time and circumstances were mature enough to reorganize the movement of DEOK.

After two years of research, preparations and many meetings with interested workers and activists, in April 1982, the 6th Congress took place to initiate the reestablishment, the reorganization, the new era for DEOK.

The reorganization and reactivation of DEOK seemed absolutely at the time for the following reasons:

(a) The workers movement suffered by a strong political polarization due to the policies and strategic choices of both powerful confederations SEK and PEO. PEO was still strongly attached to the communist party AKEL. On the other hand, SEK was identified with the right wing very conservative party of Democratic Rally (DYSY).

(b) Many important labour issues and workers’ demands were downsized due to decisions taken by the workers leadership according to political affiliations and preferences.

(c) The old workers’ confederations seemed outdated, rusty and more conservative than ever. They were very reluctant to push forward and fight for workers demands.

(d) The goal for a unified workers Congress was abandoned by PEO and SEK interests for reasons not relevant to labour issues and the Cypriot workers

An issue that the DEOK brought immediately forward during the 6th Congress of 1982, promoting public dialogue on the need of such a Congress overnice.

The new beginning of DEOK came true especially because an exceptional leader, a dedicated figure to social equality, human and workers rights and freedoms was elected General Secretary, the late Renos Prentzas.

Under his visionary leadership and hard work this time DEOK made it to success. From 1982 to 1997, when he voluntarily resigned the office of General Secretary, the Democratic Labour Federation became a refuge for thousands of Cypriot workers. A highly respected social partner who influenced many positive changes for the workers and the society of Cyprus as whole.

However the way to establish its acceptance as a valid social partner and its position in the labour market of Cyprus was not easy. On the contrary, the Federation and its constituents DEE had to struggle against hostile in many cases opposition by the two older workers Organizations. In that respect it was always, to our great surprise, envious the solid common front of SEK and PEO against any development or improvement of DEOK and its efforts to organize and support new members within its Unions.

What made that behavior shameful indeed was the fact that no employer denied his employees the right to associate and organize in DEOK’s trade unions. The right to consultation and representation of its worker members was not denied by any employer unless the two organizations jointly opposed to it strongly. And that was the case for many-many years.

From 1982 through 1998, the DEOK had a long history of fighting for the right of its members to exercise freedom of association joining its trade unions.