Ministries/ Government Departments

The Department of Labour is responsible for the promotion and implementation of the Government Policy regarding the sectors of employment and training of human resources, labour protection and the care and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. In doing so, the Department of Labour takes the necessary actions in order to preserve full employment conditions and encourage the productive utilisation of the human resources in conditions of full employment.

The main functions of the Department of Labour include both policy making and customer service, as follows:

• Maintaining full and productive employment conditions, in relation to the rational utilisation of the human capital, flexible functioning of the labour market and continuous improvement of labour relations and of terms and conditions of employment.

• Contributing to the coordination of national human resource development and training especially with the operation of the Apprenticeship System.

• Promotion of social inclusion and equal opportunities for all

• Encouraging labour mobility in a European context through the EURES, the Euro-guidance network (on Education and Training), and the Contact Point on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications.

• Disability Rehabilitation, including policy making (employment and occupational rehabilitation policy and national coordination of general disability policy); operation of specific schemes for occupational rehabilitation and other schemes for provision of other aid to disabled persons; and the running of a Rehabilitation Centre, with its own Board of Directors, Funds and Budget.

• Promoting labour equality in employment and vocational training