The Cyprus Labour Institute (INEK-PEO) is a trade union initiative, of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO). It is, however, an independent and autonomous research, documentation and training centre operating on a professional and scientific basis.

The research agenda of the Institute reflects the special relationship of the Institute with the union movement, hence the concern with labour issues in the wider sense is of special interest to the union movement. The research activity also addresses issues of broader economic and social concern that exceed the boundaries of standard union action.

The Cyprus Labour Institute has its own legal standing and was founded in 2002 in accordance with Law 57/72 (The Guilds and Institutes Law). It is a non profit-making organisation. It is auto-financed through projects mainly financed by the Human Ressources Development Authority in Cyprus, the European Foundation in Dublin and the Research promotion Foundation in Cyprus.

Aims and objectives:

• Encouragement and promotion of research, survey and documentation of social, economic and labour issues.

• Vocational and Professional Training.

• Survey and research of Trade Union Movement history.

• Cooperation with Turkish-Cypriot Labour and Research Organisations.

• Research into the social and economic history of Cyprus

• Research in the field of Social and Co-operative Economy

• Survey and research on equality issues

• International Cooperation and collaboration on research and training

INEK-PEO has the following administrative structure:

Board of Directors

The Cyprus Labour Institute is governed by the Board of Directors and is consisting of seven members. President of the Board of Directors is the each time General Secretary of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour and he is together with the secretary of the Board of Governors the legal representative of the institute. The Board of Directors has the overall management responsibility of the institute. The adoption of the annual report as well as the audited annual financial statement is in the responsibility of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves also the annual plan of activities after a proposal submitted by the Scientific Council.

Scientific Council

The Scientific Council is appointed by the Board of Directors for a two years term. The Scientific Council elects a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman. The Chairman represents the Scientific Council in the Executive Council. The Scientific Council decides on all issues of scientific nature. Determines the selection of training programmes, study and research projects, and provide scientific guidance during their implementation. The Scientific Council organises various national or international conferences, seminars or symposia and other activities that may promote the aims of the Cyprus Labour Institute. Furthermore, the Scientific Council may set up permanent or ad hoc working groups that may be considered necessary for its effective operation. At present, the Scientific Council consists of 22 scientists representing various scientific disciplines. Members of the scientific Council may be internal (from the permanent scientific staff of the Institute) or external (from the scientific community of the country or even from abroad).

Executive Council

The Executive Council is responsible for the day to day business of the Institute. It promotes and observes on daily basis the implementation of the annual plan of activities and co-ordinates the work of the various institute’s departments. The Executive Council consists of the President of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Scientific Council, the General Director, as well as the Heads of Departments. The operation of the Executive Council is co-ordinated by the General Director. The General Director is appointed by the Board of Directors and is being supported in his duties by the administrative staff of the Institute.

The Institute employes at the moment 15 people (scientists, trainers and administrative personnel).

For the effective implementation of its activities and follow up of its goals the Cyprus Labour Institute has set up the following departments:

• Economic and Labour Relations Department

• Trade Unionist and Vocational Training Department

• Social and Economic History Department

• Public and Co-operative Economy Department

• Equality Issues Department

INEK prepares on regular basis various short reports and studies on labour, social and economic issues, as well as on equality issues.

INEK organises international and national conferences, seminars, professional training and other educational activities for trade unionists, as well as awareness raising activities on various issue. For example INEK is in 2008 implementing “Awareness Raising Activities in Cyprus against Discrimination on the Ground of Race, Ethnicity, Religion and Age", a programme that is supported by PROGRESS - The Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity.