Fact: Ten people were found working illegally and arrested in Larnaca, with three more discovered in the Famagusta district as part of coordinated police efforts tackling undeclared work.
Fact: The Greek economy is forecast to grow nearly 3 per cent this year, approaching its pre-crisis size of 2009 and far outpacing the eurozone average of 0.8 per cent.
Mechanics and electricians will go on a 24-hour strike on Thursday due to a deadlock between the association of electricians and mechanics (Semiek) and the labour ministry over collective agreements, pay raises, and benefits.
The government is ready to strike a deal renewing collective agreements.
Fact: Cabinet approved the creation of a national autism strategy and action plan, covering the period until 2028 with 53 actions under seven thematic pillars.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou highlighted the importance of handling migration in Cyprus due to the country’s proximity to regions with political crises and conflicts. The government has implemented changes to asylum rules, increased inspections to prevent illegal employment, launched an online information campaign, and focused on breaking down smuggling rings. As a result, arrivals and asylum applications have decreased, with a significant drop in asylum seekers from African countries. The government is also working on improving infrastructure and creating a pre-departure center to strengthen the deportation sector. Additionally, Cyprus ranks first in the EU for the percentage of departures over arrivals and fourth in absolute numbers of returns and expulsions. Integration and social inclusion of immigrants are also important, with a comprehensive policy in place for housing, employment, skills improvement, education, and health.
Fact: There has been a surge of migrant workers leaving Russia for Tajikistan after a concert hall attack near Moscow left dozens dead.
The north’s ‘interior ministry’ requested the suspension of Meray Durust from her civil servant post due to her being on bail for allegedly forging documents. Durust had been working as the director of the north’s ‘labour ministry’ until her arrest with her husband, former ‘education minister’ Kemal Durust, in February over accusations of obtaining a false degree from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University in Morphou. After her arrest, ‘labour minister’ Sadik Gardiyanoglu announced Durust was given a new public sector role in the Morphou District Governor’s office. Additionally, two relatives of Ersin Tatar’s bodyguard, Serif Avcil, also arrested in the same investigation, were found in possession of certificates from KSTU, with one having a degree certificate from a four-year undergraduate program. Both were remanded in custody for a day. Avcil, who appeared in court, claimed to have lost his phone on the way to the police station after being contacted to appear.
Meray Durust, who was arrested in connection with a fake diploma scandal, has started working in a new public sector role despite the ongoing case against her. She was previously arrested and accused of obtaining a false degree from the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, and was sacked from her position as director of the north’s ‘labour ministry’. However, she has now returned to her former position as a civil servant in the Morphou District Governor’s office. This decision has been criticized by Kudret Ozersay, a former negotiator for the Cyprus problem, who believes that individuals under police investigation should be removed from public duty.
A 33-year-old man was arrested in Geroskipou, Cyprus, for illegal stay, working without a permit, and possession of a fake identity card. He was found working without an employment permit at a property, and his residence permit had expired since February. The man attempted to secure work using a fake Greek identity card, which he also used for social security registration, without the employer’s knowledge.