Cyprus Sets November Talks on Third-Country Workers
The upcoming discussion on the employment of third-country nationals is set to take place on 17 November, with Minister of Labour Marinos Mousiouttas presiding as chair. The agenda focuses on the growing tensions between employers and unions over the use of workers from outside the European Union, and the meeting is expected to produce concrete recommendations for policy adjustment.
Representatives from the two principal employer federations, OEB and KEBE, will sit alongside the heads of the three main trade-union federations—SEK, PEO and DEOK. These bodies collectively speak for the majority of private-sector employees across the island.
For roughly a year, the unions have pressed for a revision of the Strategy for the Employment of Third-Country Nationals, arguing that certain employers have taken advantage of loopholes and ignored established labour-law requirements.
Trade Union Concerns
The labour organisations have accused the Ministry of Labour of turning a blind eye to the problem, which they say depresses wages and creates a two-tier workforce. The leaders of the three unions emphasized that they do not oppose genuine labour-market needs or economic expansion, but they warned that an unchecked flow of foreign workers is eroding regulatory standards.
According to the union officials, the core demand is a thorough overhaul of the existing strategy, with safeguards to ensure decent work, protect collective agreements and prevent exploitation.
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Employer Perspectives
The employer groups, in contrast, point to persistent shortages in sectors where Cypriot workers are scarce. They describe the market as “thirsty” for labour, particularly in construction, tourism, retail trade and technical occupations.
Minister Mousiouttas noted that the staffing gap is most acute in those same areas, and he highlighted a bilateral agreement with Egypt that is being broadened to encompass eighteen occupational categories, including the fields mentioned above.
To make the framework more attractive, the government is speeding up application reviews and granting greater flexibility on approved quotas for imported labour. Since February 2025, a revised work-permit policy has been in force, aiming to cut red tape and speed up corporate processing.
Key Issues
The meeting on 17 November is expected to address the unions’ call for re-regulation, while also considering the employers’ need for a reliable labour supply. Both sides hope that the dialogue will lead to a balanced solution that protects workers’ rights and supports economic activity.
