On 9 July 2026, the Cyprus Crohn's and Colitis Association (CYCCA) held an introductory meeting with the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Mr Marinos Mousiouttas. Officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance also attended the meeting.

Representing CYCCA were Ms Natasa Theodosiou, President of the Association, and Ms Athina Spanou, Administrative Officer.

Among the topics discussed was the "Incentive Scheme for the Employment of People with Chronic Diseases." During the meeting, the Association raised concerns regarding the termination of the scheme following the announcement issued by the Department of Labour on 7 May 2026, stating that the scheme had been discontinued due to the exhaustion of the available funding.

It is worth noting that the "Incentive Scheme for the Employment of People with Chronic Diseases" was an initiative of CYCCA, first proposed in 2015 to the late Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Ms Zeta Emilianidou. Since 2016, the scheme had been successfully implemented under the auspices of the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations (CyFPA) and was renewed annually until 2026.

The scheme has been an invaluable tool for people living with chronic diseases in Cyprus, addressing one of the most significant challenges they face: access to and retention of employment. By providing financial incentives to employers, the scheme encourages the recruitment of unemployed people with chronic diseases while helping to reduce misconceptions and hesitation that still exist within the labour market.

The importance of the scheme is reflected in the fact that it:

📌 helps reduce discrimination against people with chronic diseases in the workplace;

📌 increases employment opportunities and facilitates reintegration into the labour market;

📌 promotes social inclusion, independence, and an improved quality of life for people living with chronic diseases;

📌 reduces the risk of poverty and social exclusion by supporting continued participation in employment;

📌 recognises that living with a chronic disease does not necessarily limit a person's abilities or productivity when appropriate workplace support is available; and

📌 promotes equal opportunities and contributes to a more inclusive labour market.

For patient organisations, the scheme is of even greater importance, as it recognises that employment is an integral part of living well with a chronic disease and maintaining a good quality of life. Access to employment is not only a matter of social policy but also a fundamental human right.

As CYCCA, in collaboration with the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations (CyFPA), we call for the necessary funding to be secured in order to reinstate and renew the "Incentive Scheme for the Employment of People with Chronic Diseases" without delay.

We firmly believe that the continuation of this scheme represents a meaningful investment in equality, social inclusion, and the dignified participation of people living with chronic diseases in the labour market.