The government is taking a two-pronged approach to address labour shortages, with a renewed emphasis on the Greek language for foreign workers alongside efforts to activate the domestic workforce.
Minister of Labour Giannis Panagiotou announced yesterday that knowledge of Greek would be a factor in work permit renewals for foreign nationals and potentially new applications.
While acknowledging workforce deficiencies, Panagiotou emphasised activating the domestic labour pool. He highlighted recently approved incentives for hiring unemployed Cypriots.
However, for foreign workers, particularly those in customer service roles, Greek language proficiency will be viewed favourably during permit renewals and will be factored in to expedite applications. This initiative, the Minister explained, aims for better integration and aligns with practices in other EU nations.
Prioritising Cypriots and international students
The government’s primary focus remains on bolstering domestic employment. Panagiotou elaborated on plans to be unveiled today, detailing incentives for hiring unemployed Cypriots. Additionally, collaborations with the Ministry of the Interior aim to streamline the employment process for international students residing in Cyprus.
Incentivising good employment practices
Looking beyond existing award programmes, the Ministry plans to develop a scheme that incentivises businesses adhering to ethical labour practices. Financial or other benefits are on the table, but social dialogue will determine specifics.
The Minister stressed the importance of consensus with stakeholders, acknowledging this may cause implementation delays at times.
Recruitment of EU workers
Panagiotou also revealed efforts to attract EU workers through contact with his European counterparts. Bilateral agreements with candidate and non-EU countries for medium and low-skilled positions are also underway.
However, the Minister emphasised the need for a balanced approach – addressing labour gaps without encouraging illegal immigration. To that end, inspections for unauthorised work will increase from 6,000 in 2023 to 10,000 this year.
