The importance of fair employment as a foundation of social justice was highlighted by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Moushouttas, in his introductory speech at the first session of the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) taking place in Nicosia.
According to Moushouttas, the meeting is being held at a critical juncture for the EU and the labour markets of the member states. "The transitions we are experiencing, digitization, artificial intelligence, the green transition, and demographic developments are not only changing the way we work, they are changing the very social and economic fabric of our societies," he noted.
"In this environment, our response cannot be inaction or fragmentation; it must be fair adjustment, it must be social justice. That is precisely why our discussion today on fair employment as a foundation for social justice is not theoretical. It is the most timely discussion we can have as ministers responsible for employment," he noted.
Moushouttas expressed his warm thanks to the Director-General of the International Labour Organization for the comprehensive background document prepared by the organisation and for the ILO's substantial support in preparing today's policy discussion. "The ILO's contribution ensures that our dialogue is based on international standards, documented analysis, and the fundamental principles of social justice," he added.
He added that Cyprus is actively promoting social justice at the global level as part of its participation as a partner in the Global Alliance for Social Justice, an ILO initiative, and as a contribution to the coalition, it has designed and is launching an educational initiative aimed at policymakers with the aim of enhancing understanding of the concept and the importance of integrating social justice into policy decisions.
He explained that the educational material will be presented for the first time to social partners in April and will then be made available to any interested party to be used as a practical tool for training and strengthening knowledge in the field of social justice and sustainable employment. "For us, social justice is not a slogan but a policy methodology, which we are actively promoting," he stressed.
The Labour Minister also said that, in parallel and in the same context, the Cyprus Presidency has asked the European Economic and Social Committee to issue an opinion on enhancing the quality of employment, the use of new tools, including artificial intelligence, and the decisive role of social dialogue and collective bargaining.
"This is a clear policy choice that links innovation with social justice and competitiveness with social cohesion," he noted, adding that the opinion is expected to provide substantive and strategic guidance for the development of fair employment policies, ensuring that digital and technological developments translate into quality, safe and decent jobs.
"We believe that the opinion can serve as a practical policy guide on how innovation can serve fair employment and how social justice can remain at the heart of the changes taking place in labour markets," Moushouttas added.
According to the Labour Minister, in an era of rapid digital developments, the challenge is not simply to adapt, but to ensure that workers are protected, heard, and participate equally in the future of work.
"It is precisely at this point that social justice takes on a specific political meaning. It means ensuring that transitions create quality jobs and not new forms of precariousness. It means investing systematically in skills and retraining so that no worker is left behind by technological or green transitions," he said.
It means, he noted, "strong social dialogue, meaningful involvement of social partners, and rules that are enforced in practice."
And finally, he added, "it means that innovation, digitization, and artificial intelligence must enhance human work, not undermine the dignity, rights, and security of workers. These are the questions raised by the guidance note, and we are now called upon to provide political answers."
"Today, therefore, we are not just discussing employment policies, we are discussing the union we want. A union where technology serves people. A union where growth leaves no room for exclusion. A union where competitiveness goes hand in hand with social justice. With these preliminary thoughts, I invite you to a substantive, honest, and results-oriented discussion," he concluded.
We will put forward very important initiatives for a social Europe, Commissioner says
In her doorstep statements earlier, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said that EU Labour and Social Affairs Ministers will be discussing important topics, such as the first ever anti-poverty strategy, as well as fair employment for social justice, quality jobs, and combating in-work poverty.
“All these topics I think that will bring forward the insights of different member states and they can feed into the initiatives of the European Commission as this year, in 2026, we will put forward very important initiatives for our social Europe, a fair labour mobility package, the anti-poverty strategy, the Quality Jobs Act. So I am really looking forward to our debate today”, she noted.
Social justice is not a luxury but a prerequisite for sustainable growth, Minister says
In his doorstep statements made upon his arrival at the Conference Center, the Minister said that Europe is facing multiple challenges, such as geopolitical instability, high energy costs, climate change, demographic decline, and rapid technological developments, particularly in digitization and artificial intelligence, which are changing the world of work.
"For this reason, social justice is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite for sustainable growth, social cohesion, and competitiveness. It is at the heart of the European social model and is clearly reflected in the European Pillar of Social Rights," he noted.
He added that ensuring equal opportunities in employment is a cornerstone of social justice. "Our goal is the meaningful participation of all in the labour market, without discrimination, so that no one is left behind," he stressed.
In closing, he said that social dialogue remains at the heart of the European approach. "Social partners play a key role in managing transitions and ensuring quality and fair jobs. Cyprus, as the host country of this informal Council, actively supports a Europe that invests in fair work, social justice, and a humane, sustainable transition for all," Moushouttas concluded.
Social policy at the heart of Cyprus Presidency agenda, Deputy Minister says
For her part, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Clea Papaellina, said that social policy is at the heart of the Cyprus Presidency agenda.
As she explained, this Informal Council is particularly important, as it is being held in the presence of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, the Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, her ministerial counterparts, and representatives of organizations.
"This strong participation reflects the collective political commitment to promoting the European social model and the social agenda. Together, we are exchanging views on the key challenges facing our Union today, the eradication of poverty and the strengthening of long-term care and active ageing," she noted.
Papaellina added that the meeting will discuss the first European strategy for combating poverty, which will give new impetus to efforts to prevent and tackle poverty, based on the principle that no one is left behind, while also examining how long-term care can better support active and dignified aging, responding to demographic change and strengthening social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity.
"Today's important meeting puts people, especially those in vulnerable situations, at the centre of our discussions. I therefore look forward to a constructive and focused dialogue that will help shape our common priorities for a better future for all of us," concluded the Deputy Minister.
(Source: CNA)
