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Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Ms Marilena Evangelou attended the EU Employment and Social Policy Council, which took place on 27 and 28 November 2023 in Brussels.
The Council adopted a General Approach on the Proposal for a Directive on the European Disability and Parking Card. The Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of the European Disability and Parking Card in encouraging and facilitating the free movement of people with disabilities in the EU. She stressed that Cyprus is one of the eight Member States that have successfully participated in the pilot project of the Disability and Parking Card since 2017.
The Ministers also exchanged views on the European Semester 2024, with emphasis on the Green Collective Bargaining. Ms Evangellou advocated for encouraging agreements between social partners that promote environmentally friendly inclusive practices in the workplace. She stressed the importance of adequate training and skills development programmes to prepare workers to better adapt to the green transition.
During the discussion on the implementation of the European Racism Strategy 2020-2025, the Deputy Minister referred in detail to national actions to tackle structural racism and the legislative framework of Cyprus. She stressed, inter alia, the importance of education and awareness-raising to promote a culture of learning about the historical roots and manifestations of racism.
Social investments and their importance for the sustainable development of the economy in conditions of social cohesion were addressed by the Council on the second day of its work. The Deputy Minister referred to the importance of social investment and highlighted the role of the exchange of experiences between Member States, which can contribute to a better evaluation of the economic and social returns of social investment. She added that a more active contribution from the Council would strengthen the promotion of employment policies, skills policies and social policies.
Finally, the Council also adopted Conclusions on (a) social security, (b) more democracy at work, (c) the lifelong transition of care systems and (d) support for people with disabilities.
After the Council, the Minister of State for Social Welfare said. This is an extremely important issue that encourages and facilitates the free movement of people with disabilities in the European Union. In my intervention, I informed my counterparts that Cyprus was one of the eight Member States that successfully participated in the Disability and Parking Card pilot project from 2017. In the Council we also exchanged views on the European Semester 2024-Green Collective Bargaining, social investment and discussed the European Racism Strategy 2020-2025."
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