The priorities of the Cyprus EU Presidency in the field of employment were not formulated in a vacuum, but rather reflect the real concerns of European citizens and the major challenges currently facing the European labour market, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Moushouttas has said.
Addressing a meeting of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) of the European Parliament in Brussels on 29 January, Moushouttas pointed out that Cyprus is assuming the Presidency at a time of profound transformations, as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, the green transition and demographic developments are fundamentally reshaping the way we work, learn and produce.
The Minister stressed that in this environment, Europe’s response cannot be fear of change, nor inertia. “It must be fair and methodical adaptation. Social justice must be the overriding objective,” he explained.
In this context, he continued, the central pillar of the Cypriot Presidency in the field of employment is fair and inclusive employment as the foundation of social justice. He added that fair employment means decent wages, safe working conditions and equal opportunities for all, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Moushouttas noted that fair employment as a foundation of social justice will be at the core of the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Employment and Social Policy, which Cyprus will host in February. He underlined that, in addition to Ministers from the Member States, the International Labour Organization will also take part in the discussion, as the global organisation par excellence responsible for social justice issues, together with the social partners, in order to explore common solutions.
At the same time, he stressed that the challenge is clear: identifying concrete and immediate measures that can be implemented at both national and European Union level, so that employment policy tools deliver tangible and measurable results, ensuring that fair employment is not merely an objective, but a reality for every worker in Europe.
He emphasised that the Cypriot Presidency places particular importance on the impact of artificial intelligence on work. “Technology is not neutral. The way we regulate and use it determines whether it operates in favour of or to the detriment of workers. In this context, the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights always serve as our compass, while the recent Roadmap to Quality Jobs and the long-standing commitment of the International Labour Organization to social justice constitute the political and value-based guide of our Presidency,” he stated.
At the same time, the Minister of Labour stressed that, as part of efforts to upgrade job quality in a changing environment, the Cypriot Presidency has requested the European Economic and Social Committee to issue an opinion on tools for enhancing job quality, including artificial intelligence, and on the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining. Through this opinion, Moushouttas noted, the aim is to highlight that the use of new tools, including artificial intelligence, is not an end in itself, but a means towards a Europe where growth, innovation and job quality serve people.
Referring to the legislative file on the revision of the Regulation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, he underlined that it is directly linked to the need for a collective European response to the disruptions caused by global and technological developments and therefore constitutes an instrument for achieving social justice.
He also stressed that the Cypriot Presidency is ready to work effectively with the European Parliament to ensure the swift completion of negotiations. “Our objective is faster and timely support for workers, particularly through reskilling and upskilling, which also form part of the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency,” he explained.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the social partners in these policies, the Minister stated that the Cypriot Presidency also promotes, as a priority, collective responsibility for achieving the objectives of the Union of Skills.
He announced that skills will be at the centre of discussions at the meeting of the European Network of Public Employment Services in June 2026, reaffirming that investment in skills is the cornerstone of a resilient labour market and strong competitiveness within the single European market.
Moushouttas stressed that the Council Recommendation on Human Capital, expected to be adopted by the Council of Ministers on 9 March, places particular emphasis on the skills required for the green and digital transition and artificial intelligence. “It confirms that investment in people is not merely necessary, but constitutes the foundation of social cohesion, a driver of fair growth and a strategy for Europe’s sustainable competitiveness,” he explained.
Traineeships
The Minister of Labour stressed that the Traineeships Package also ranks high on the Presidency’s agenda. He noted that Cyprus is taking over the continuation of negotiations on the Directive with a clear objective of successfully concluding the trilogues. The file is being approached with a strong sense of responsibility and a willingness for substantive cooperation, seeking common ground and realistic compromises, the Minister said.
He underlined that young people must be effectively protected in the labour market and that traineeships cannot function as cheap or precarious labour, but must constitute a meaningful first step towards decent and quality employment. At the same time, he noted, businesses must be encouraged to offer traineeship opportunities to young people.
Fair mobility
Referring to the third thematic priority, Moushouttas stressed that fair mobility constitutes a cornerstone of a fair European labour market. For this reason, he explained, the Cypriot Presidency considers that the conditions are ripe to move forward with the revision of Regulation 883 on the coordination of social security systems.
He noted that its completion is necessary not only to modernise the rules and enhance legal clarity, but above all to ensure that mobile workers enjoy strong social protection when exercising their right to mobility. “Through renewed dialogue, trust-building and close cooperation with the European Parliament, we aspire to lead this file towards an agreement for the benefit of workers,” he added.
In the same context, and in anticipation of the Fair Mobility Package, the Minister announced that Cyprus will host the High-Level Conference of the European Labour Authority on 11 March.
He noted that, for the first time, the Package and ways to ensure that every worker moving within the European Union receives their rights, is protected and treated fairly, will be discussed. He added that the European Labour Authority is the guardian of fair mobility and that its role ensures European policies are not merely theoretical, but implemented in practice to promote a strong and fair labour market for all.
Health and safety
At the same time, the Minister of Labour stressed that health and safety at work are also a non-negotiable priority. He stated that the Cypriot Presidency fully supports the 6th revision of the Directive on Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances. “Protecting millions of workers from serious health risks is not a cost; it is an investment. At the same time, we will seek a balanced approach that takes into account the sustainability and competitiveness of businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, without undermining the core of worker protection,” he added.
Concluding his address, he noted that the Cypriot Presidency does not come with ready-made answers to every challenge. “However, it comes with a clear political direction, a spirit of cooperation and a deep belief that a fairer Europe also means a more competitive Europe,” he said. He added that the Council and the Parliament can together shape a labour market that primarily serves people and, by extension, businesses. “Only in this way can our common European future be meaningfully strengthened,” he concluded.
The Presidency’s objective: responding to the concerns of European citizens
In statements following the conclusion of the EMPL meeting, Moushouttas said that they reiterated to the members of the Committee their shared commitment to social justice in Europe, which will be promoted during the Cyprus EU Presidency through fair employment, the right skills for the labour market of the future and fair mobility.
The Presidency’s constant objective, the Minister said, is to respond to the concerns of European citizens and workers through consistent policies emerging from social dialogue and close cooperation between governments and institutions. “As the Cypriot Presidency, we aspire to make a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of European citizens in the field of employment,” he noted.
(Source: CNA)
