Stricter employment rules for asylum seekers effective from October

Cyprus is set to impose stricter employment rules for asylum seekers starting from October 1.

This change will have a considerable impact on the labour market, as applicants will now have to wait for nine months from the date of their asylum application before gaining the right to work.

These changes have been long-anticipated within the business community, which employs a substantial number of asylum seekers. President of the Republic, during an address to the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (ΟΕΒ) on Wednesday evening in Limassol, officially confirmed the new regulations.

Meanwhile, President Christodoulides has pledged to expedite procedures for the approval of applications for foreign personnel from third countries to meet business needs. He dismissed the possibility of extending the current practice, which allows asylum seekers to work in specific sectors of the economy just one month after applying for political asylum. Initially, this practice was supposed to end on August 1 but was extended to October 1 by the Minister of Interior, Constantinos Ioannou.

The President was explicit about the implementation of the changes outlined in the new decree regarding the employment of asylum seekers. He stressed that these measures are part of broader efforts to address immigration issues, aiming to make Cyprus less appealing to economic migrants. Approximately 90% of asylum applications are currently rejected.

“A significant number of asylum seekers are working in various industries, such as the hotel sector. There is a decision that will conclude by October 1. It is not my intention to renew it, and I want to be completely frank with you. However, at the same time, we are working with the Ministry of Labour on a plan effective from January 1, where applications for foreign personnel coming to Cyprus will receive a response from the government within one month. Today, it can take three to four months, and approvals are often given after the season,” President Christodoulides stated.

These remarks were extensively discussed during the closed-door session of the ΟΕΒ board, with the President assuring that addressing immigration issues will not lead to further labour shortages.

Additionally, it appears that the new employment strategy for personnel from third countries, approved during the previous government’s last Cabinet meeting, will undergo further revisions. Trade unions have long called for changes to employment terms for those coming to Cyprus, particularly concerning their coverage under collective agreements.

It’s important to note that at present, approximately 3,000 asylum seekers are employed in the hotel industry alone.