German Post to mark 750 years of miners' social insurance

This stamp issued by the German Post on the 11th of November is dedicated to the miners' social insurance which became the oldest social insurance system in Germany and Europe.

The origin of the miners insurance goes back to the act of Hildesheim Bishop John I on the 28th of December 1260 who assured his supporting to the poor and weak miners in survival. Since that time, the support of miners became exemplary for all the areas of the social life. This is where the modern social security and medical care have their origin.

In the history of miners the appearance of pension, health insurance, survivors' benefits, social security system, joint contributions of workers and employers became milestones on the path of development of today's modern welfare services. The miners' contribution to the development of the welfare system in Germany is really significant.