New decree now allows foreign students to work in south Cyprus

Foreign students in Cyprus (south) will now be allowed to work in the country in specific professions where there are local human resources shortages provided they have been in Cyprus since October 31, 2022.

The previous decree provided that only students from third countries who were in south Cyprus by January 31, 2022 were entitled to employment under certain conditions and in certain sectors.

The change which took effect from July, 1 – followed strong pressure by employers’ organizations.

In order not to create a new gap in the labour force we had requested a revision of the decree,” the Cyprus Employers Federation said in a statement.

“(Because) students from third countries who came to Cyprus as from last February onwards did not have the right to work in the summer season when the need for labour is increased due to the full operation of the tourist sector,” it added.

The issue was also discussed at the first meeting of the Labour Advisory Board at the end of May.

Speaking on the development, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou said that this is not a new decree as the labour ministry has issued similar ones in the past.

The minister said that the people will only be allowed to work in certain sectors, and mostly at jobs that “Cypriots don’t want to do.”

According to the decree, students will be allowed to work in certain industries only, including at petrol stations as attendants, and in the health sector as caretakers and cleaners.

People will also be able to work as ward assistants at clinics provided that they meet the requirements of the health ministry and speak a basic level of Greek.

The ministry added that students will be allowed to take on occasional domestic work and in bakeries, animal feed plants, waste recycling, and as a night shift worker at manufacturing industries.

In the field of agriculture, students will be able to work as farm workers and in the fishing industry.

Students can also work as building cleaners, sewage workers, advertising mail distributors and in food delivery.

At hotels, the ministry said that people will be able to work as kitchen assistants, cleaners, waiters, receptionists and bartenders, while at restaurants people will be able to do similar tasks.