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- Ελληνικά
Today's meeting with the leaders, Presidents and General Managers of the Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEB) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) confirmed the consensus on the needs of the labour market in line with the growth of the economy, to which the Ministry of Labour responds methodically and effectively, enhancing the potential for further improvement.
In particular, the OEB and the KEBE were informed in detail about the statistics and figures, while specific measures that have already been launched were presented, measures that have started to be implemented and which are gradually yielding positive results:
[*]The processing time of applications for work permits for third country nationals has been reduced, compared to the corresponding periods in previous years, with a view to rapidly reaching the target of completing the processing of applications within one month of their complete submission. [*]The internal application management process is streamlined to address bureaucracy by updating the relevant forms submitted and simplifying the accompanying elements. [*]The start of the submission of applications for work permits for third-country nationals for the hotel industry was brought forward by three months, and applications started to be submitted and examined from 1 December 2023, instead of from March as was previously the case. [*]It is planned to implement a procedure for pre-approval of work permits for replacing asylum seekers within the prescribed limits in order to fill the vacancies created in time to limit the resulting staffing gaps. [*]The access to the labour market of third country nationals who are in Cyprus as students is broadened through the renewal of the decree that defines the conditions for granting the possibility to work and the permitted professions, as well as through the promotion of appropriate legislative changes to provide the possibility to stay in Cyprus to work after the completion of the degree studies. [*]Developing bilateral agreements with third countries on the arrival of workers in a transnational context, which will allow for the development of more efficient staffing functions and control of the implementation of the provisions of the institutional framework. [*]The process of creating a digital platform for the electronic submission and management of applications for work permits for third-country nationals has been launched. [*]The Aliens Branch of the Labour Department has been reorganised with reinforced staffing and supervision mechanisms, with emphasis on the centralised management of applications for work permits for third country nationals, to respond more effectively to the management of labour market needs. [*]Upgraded possibilities for automated information to employers on changes in the residence status of asylum seekers are put in place to avoid registering them as employers or continuing their employment after the rejection of an application for international protection, as well as to avoid employment in occupations to which they do not have access or during the period of time when the prescribed 9 months period has not been completed. [*]It was decided to carry out an electronic census of all workers through the upgraded digital system of the Ministry of Labour, for a more efficient evaluation and use of labour market data.
We are confident that, with the cooperation of the OEB and KEBE, the business community and the social partners, together we will be able to respond effectively to the challenges and further strengthen the Cypriot economy, for the collective good of our country.
At the same time, we note that it is important for all social partners to cooperate in order to better regulate the labour market so that, along with the rational entry of third country nationals, it becomes more attractive for Cypriots and other European citizens.
At the same time, we note that it is important for all social partners to cooperate in order to better regulate the labour market so that, along with the rational entry of third country nationals, it becomes more attractive for Cypriots and other European citizens.
