Cyprus’ commitment to a fair and inclusive future of work was stressed by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Moushouttas, during his participation in the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development in New York.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Moushouttas highlighted the institutionally enhanced role of Nicosia at this year’s Session, noting that Cyprus participated with a dual role, both as the European Union and as a Member State. As he explained, “I had the honour of representing the European Union and its Member States by delivering the common statement, as well as the national statement of the Republic of Cyprus,” reflecting the increased responsibility of the Cypriot Presidency in the European and international dialogue on social policy.
He said the central message of his intervention was that “social justice is founded on decent work, meaningful social dialogue and strong systems of social protection”, stressing that this constitutes “the triptych we promote within the framework of the European Presidency with regard to labour issues”.
Moushouttas noted that in recent years Cyprus has recorded a historically high level of employment, with unemployment standing below 5 percent, while “the reduction in youth unemployment is among the highest in the European Union”. This, he underlined, “demonstrates in practice that economic development can and must go hand in hand with social progress”, summing up that “development and progress go together”.
Emphasis was placed on the challenges posed by technological change. The Minister stressed “the importance of properly managing digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the green transition”, so that “technological advances benefit all workers, without any exclusions – so that no one is left behind”.
On the margins of the Session, Moushouttas participated in an event organised by Qatar and France on the implementation of the Doha commitments, where, as he said, “the need for a renewed global social contract based on solidarity, rights and effective multilateral cooperation was highlighted”. He recalled that “the previous conference on these issues was held 30 years ago, at the Copenhagen Summit”, adding that a follow-up process is now beginning “to assess what had been agreed and how the issues raised at the Doha Summit are progressing”.
The Minister also held a series of contacts with European counterparts. “I had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Labour of Austria, Finland and Sweden, as well as with other institutional actors,” he said, with the aim “of strengthening international dialogue and Cyprus’ cooperation on labour and social policy matters”.
These discussions are linked to the forthcoming informal Council of Ministers of Labour, which will be held in Cyprus on 12–13 February, within the framework of the European Presidency.
“We want to emphasise that Cyprus remains firmly committed to building a future of work that is fair, sustainable and inclusive, both at European and global level,” Moushouttas said, adding that “through Cyprus’ role as Presidency, our effort is to highlight this commitment and contribute in that direction.”
(Source: CNA)
