The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) participated at the European Commission’s meeting for the European Social Fund (ESF) which took place on 8th and 9th February, 2017 in Brussels.
The ESF is one of the five European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). From 2014, these operate under a common framework and pursue complementary policy objectives. They are the main source of investment at EU level to help Member States to restore and increase growth and ensure a job rich recovery while ensuring sustainable development, in line with the Europe 2020 objectives.
The ESF’s objectives for 2014-2020 concentrate in three major priorities, namely, getting people into jobs, social inclusion and improving education and training.
The discussions of the plenary meeting of the ESF committee on 9th February, 2017 concentrated amongst other items of the agenda on the link of the ESF with the national country specific recommendations, the EU’s resources system and means of becoming simpler, more transparent and equitable and democratically accountable. Additionally, the members of the committee discussed the annual review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) which includes analytical support for EU and national policy actions in pursuit of the Europe 2020 employment and social objectives.
At the meeting, Cyprus was represented by Mr. Andreas Christou – Head of the European Social Fund Unit of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance (government representative), Mr Nikos Gregoriou – Head of the Economical and Social Policy Department of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (employees representative) and Mrs Maria Stylianou Theodorou – Head of the Research and European Programs Service of OEB (employers representative).
