The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI-KEBE) met with the Pancyprian Organisation of Large Families, during which an extensive exchange of views took place on the demographic problem facing Cyprus and its serious social and economic implications.
During the meeting, it was emphasised that demographics constitute one of the greatest challenges that our country will face in the coming decades. The continuous decline in birth rates, the aging of the population and the deterioration of the birth balance create significant challenges both for the sustainability of the welfare state and for the future development of the economy.
The delegation of the Pancyprian Organisation of Large Families informed the CCCI about the issues that concern large families and which have intensified in recent years, while presenting specific suggestions for taking measures and adopting policies that will contribute to effectively addressing the challenges they face.
Particular reference was made to the child benefit payment and the decisive role it plays, as the status of beneficiary is linked to access to a series of other allowances, benefits and support plans, with the result that its granting criteria acquire particular importance for families with many children.
The CCCI underlined that supporting the family, and especially the large family, is an important investment for the future of Cyprus. The creation of favorable conditions that will allow young couples to have more children, without being disproportionately burdened financially or professionally, is a basic prerequisite for addressing the demographic crisis.
Particular emphasis was placed on the link between demographics and the labour market. The shrinking active population and the growing shortages of human resources in many sectors of the economy make demographics not only a social but also a development issue. Improving demographic indicators and increasing the number of children per family are key factors in maintaining a strong and competitive economy in the future.
The CCCI recognised the important role played by the Pancyprian Organization of Large Families in promoting family support policies and expressed its will to contribute, within the framework of its institutional role as representative of the business community, to the development and promotion of voluntary initiatives by businesses for the benefit of large families.
The CCCI and the Pancyprian Organisation of Large Families agreed to maintain an open channel of communication and cooperation to promote initiatives that will substantially contribute to addressing the demographic challenge facing our country.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
