Issues concerning labour and the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026 were discussed by Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou and the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparation, Roxana Mînzatu.
In statements at the Ministry of Labour after the 25 September meeting, Panayiotou described it as having been “very constructive” and said that they discussed planning for the future of work, quality jobs and fair mobility of workers in the EU.
“We have discussed the next steps,” said the Minister of Labour and expressed confidence that within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency “we will achieve the goals we have set, which will be mutually beneficial for all European citizens.”
Furthermore, he added, the prospects for fair mobility of workers were discussed, noting that the relevant Commission initiative, which is expected to be presented during the Cyprus Presidency, will be a catalyst for better protection of workers moving within the Union.
On her part, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission pointed out that the meeting focused on the preparation of important issues for the Cyprus Presidency, the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency. They discussed the coordination of social security for mobile workers in Europe, which is an important legislative file - as she noted - that the Cyprus Presidency has the possibility to close, i.e. "the famous 883 Regulation". She expressed her belief that this can be achieved.
The issue of the roadmap for quality jobs, which will be announced on 25 November and the discussions will take place during the Cyprus Presidency, was also discussed, she added. This issue, she explained, touches on issues such as working conditions, health and safety and the use of artificial intelligence. They must also address social dumping in sectors such as construction, agriculture and transport, where they need to see changes in contracts. They will also look at skills and qualifications, addressing the labour shortage through quality jobs and how to connect competitiveness to quality jobs. “We want to be more competitive, but it is also about putting quality jobs at the heart of our competitiveness efforts,” she noted.
Mînzatu said they also discussed the budget because “it is always about the money,” noting that the discussion has started during the current Danish Presidency but the numbers will be finalised during the Cyprus Presidency. She added that we must protect investments in social policies to tackle unemployment, poverty, child poverty and ensure that active labour market policies are able to support education and skills.
The European Commission, she continued, has proposed a minimum social spending rate of 14% in national plans, a rate that corresponds to 100 billion euros at European level. “I want to protect this number or increase it of course if possible in the negotiations,” she said. Of course, the Commissioner added, we will work on the skilling and reskilling of workers through different schemes that we have proposed, including new funds such as the Competitiveness Fund.
“I count on the Cypriot Presidency and I am sure that our work together will be fruitful and I am looking forward to our collaboration,” Mînzatu noted.
Furthermore, a press release from the Ministry of Labor regarding the meeting said that Panayiotou “underlined the importance of the upcoming initiative of the European Commission to formulate a Quality Jobs Roadmap, emphasising that this is a crucial initiative aimed at improving working conditions, strengthening education and skills, a just transition in changing labour markets and the protection of social rights.”
Panayiotou "pointed out, at the same time, that the orientation and actions of the European Commission for a more social Europe are fully aligned with the priorities of the Cypriot Government, placing particular emphasis on the importance of social dialogue and tripartite social cooperation,” it added.
According to the press release, legislative files and initiatives of the European Commission that will concern Cyprus during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 were also discussed, with both sides confirming their readiness for close cooperation throughout the Presidency.
(Source: CNA)
