Focus on Cyprus immigration and stay updated on Cyprus-China regulations:
The policies and regulations of the Cyprus government regarding foreign labor primarily include the "Aliens and Immigration Law" and other related provisions, as well as standards, procedures, and employment terms for the issuance and renewal of work permits for foreign labor established by the Council of Ministers. These terms include:
- All labor terms and other relevant laws applicable to local citizens also apply to foreigners.
- Benefits provided to Cypriot workers through relevant collective agreements in certain sectors may also be enjoyed by foreign laborers.
- The round-trip transportation costs for foreign laborers to Cyprus are to be borne by the employer.
- Employers must ensure that foreign laborers have health insurance.
In addition, according to current legal provisions, laborers from third-world countries that are not members of the country or the European Union must have an employer and a work permit before entering the country. Work permits are issued for specific positions and for a specified duration. The procedure is as follows:
Local employers who cannot find the same labor within the country submit an application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance to recruit labor from abroad. At the time of submitting the application, a contract specifying all terms of employment must also be provided, and these terms should be the same as those for local citizens. The Civil Registry and Migration Department is responsible for reviewing the employer's application in accordance with the procedures and standards for employing foreign labor. The principle is that candidates for these positions must first be selected from within the country and EU member states. Only if no candidates who meet the employer's requirements can be found within the country or EU member states will the recruitment of labor from other countries be considered. The Civil Registry and Migration Department makes the final decision on issuing work permits based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; the work permit also serves as an entry permit.
Regarding the social security rights of foreign laborers, Cyprus law stipulates that there is no discrimination between Cypriot and foreign laborers, and they have exactly the same rights and obligations.