A to-do list for an honest state

10 + 1 thoughts on economic growth and social rights

By Achilleas Demetriades

Cyprus has, over the years, managed to achieve consecutive cycles of economic growth and development. However, the country has also experienced serious crises which limit steady progress and highlight serious gaps in social protection, community solidarity and social cohesion. The formulation of a new model of economic development is feasible and necessary, because we envision an honest state.

The coordinating state

1. The state has a very important role to play. It must put in place the framework and regulations to facilitate economic development and ensure a healthy business environment. Strengthening the investment climate and improving productivity are linked to better working conditions and contribute to the fight against unemployment.
2. The state promotes healthy economic growth and adopts policies that reduce social inequalities. To achieve this, the state must fight corruption, improve Cyprus’s image as a reliable investment destination and make the most of the country’s human resource potential.
3. The state supports the productive and labor sector, taking a different approach to the problems people face, related to significant inequality in income, health care, social security, gender and new perspectives. generation.
4. Semi-governmental organizations contribute to economic development. Their public status must be preserved while improving their organization and management. Those selected by the president for appointment as presidents of large semi-governmental organizations should proceed before a hearing of the House committee responsible for each organization – a consultative process that would add credibility to the selection process.

Our economic development model

5. It is imperative that Cyprus changes to a real, viable, socially just and sustainable economy. The state is responsible for strengthening the social protection system through targeted social safety nets for financially vulnerable people by applying existing tools and developing new ones.
6. It is necessary to invest in the future, with an increase in expenditure in the education system, alongside investments in training and the reintegration of people into the labor market. Our period is marked by new employment models, lifelong education and a mixed employment system – traditional and telework. We must also invest in literacy, universities, research centers, scientific, business and other fields in order to turn decisively towards research, innovation, start-ups and social enterprises to through cooperation between the public and private sectors. .
7. Cyprus continues to lag behind in digital skills. The transition to digital governance, which is a necessary tool, allows public organizations to serve the public faster, cheaper and better. The state, ministries and public services have an obligation to be the workhorse that leads to a digital transformation for the entire economy.
8. We need to have a more targeted use of EU development funds as well as national funds (recovery funds, structural funds and other financing tools). This must be done through prior consultation and transparency, prioritizing sustainable development and reforms aimed at tackling social inequalities.

A social safety net

9. The State has a responsibility towards its citizens in safeguarding new social rights:

(a) Access to medical care by improving the general health system (Gesy).

(b) Recycling, technical education and lifelong education.

(c) Develop digital skills with free internet access, starting with public access areas.

(d) Respect for the environment as an independent right.

The above constitutes a universal commitment of the state to all its citizens.

10. A state of healthy economic growth and social justice formulates innovative policies for an efficient tax system and establishes a transparent system of financial incentives to promote economic growth and the use of national wealth, within a comprehensive framework for corporate, social and environmental responsibility that benefits society as a whole.

Honest state

10 + 1. To achieve this, it is imperative that leaders lead by example, with transparency, emphasizing the rules of good governance and with regulations that prevent conflicts of interest in the exercise of their authority. The honest state is the basis for achieving our specific goals and improving the quality of public life.

We owe it to our children. We have to claim it.

Achilleas Demetriades is a partner at the law firm Lellos P Demetriades LLC