employment

Working in Cyprus: an essential guide for expats, remote workers

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Working in Cyprus: an essential guide for expats, remote workers

Cyprus is a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it an attractive destination for professional expansion. The work landscape in Cyprus includes employment with a Cyprus company, self-employment, and working for a foreign company. Employees in Cyprus sign a contract of employment, are subject to Income Tax, Social Insurance, and contributions to the General Healthcare System, with a tax-free threshold for salary income set at EUR 19,500. Self-employment involves a contract of services, with taxation based on annual profits and mandatory registration for Social Insurance and the General Healthcare System. Working for a foreign company in Cyprus involves considerations regarding tax residency, with over 183 days spent on the island likely resulting in Cyprus tax residency. Non-Cyprus EU employers may need to register as local employers, while non-EU employers might need to establish a branch or company in Cyprus.

Czech farmers dump manure on Prague streets in renewed protests [PHOTOS]

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Czech farmers dump manure on Prague streets in renewed protests [PHOTOS]

Czech farmers protested in front of the government’s office in Prague, demanding more support and a halt to cheap imports to the European Union. They blocked streets with tractors, dumped manure in front of government headquarters, and called for the removal of restrictions from the Green Deal plan and for customs duties on Ukrainian farm products to be reimposed. This protest is part of a wider movement across the EU, with similar actions in Poland and Brussels. The Czech farmers’ demands include subsidies matching 2022 levels, employment support programs, reduced property tax for farmland, and measures to tackle surplus in EU markets due to cheap imports. The government has refused to be pressured, with Prime Minister Petr Fiala calling it “blackmail” and Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny criticizing the manure dumping.

Red Bull suspend woman who accused F1 boss Horner

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Red Bull suspend woman who accused F1 boss Horner

Formula One champions Red Bull have suspended a female employee who accused team boss Christian Horner of inappropriate behavior. This was reported by the BBC and Sky Sports television. The team has not commented on internal employment matters. Horner, who has denied all allegations, was cleared by an independent investigation last week. The employee’s identity and the details of the allegations remain confidential, but purported evidence was emailed anonymously to F1 media and key figures in the paddock last week.

EU countries block supply chain audit law at last hour

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EU countries block supply chain audit law at last hour

European Union countries blocked new rules requiring large companies to check their supply chains for forced labour or environmental damage due to opposition led by Germany. A ‘qualified majority’ was needed for the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD) to proceed to a final vote in the European Parliament, but not enough support was garnered. Germany’s Free Democrats (FDP) argued the law would impose excessive bureaucracy on businesses. Thirteen EU members abstained and one voted against the law. This was the second attempt by Belgium, holding the rotating EU presidency, to secure backing for the directive. The CSDDD, set to enter force in 2027, mandates large companies in the EU to identify and address forced or child labour and environmental damage in their supply chains. The rules would apply to companies with more than 500 employees and a net worldwide turnover above 150 million euros.

Cyprus first in EU in terms of departures on immigrant arrivals, Minister says

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Cyprus first in EU in terms of departures on immigrant arrivals, Minister says

Cyprus leads the EU in the proportion of immigrant departures relative to arrivals and ranks fourth in the total number of returns and expulsions. The country has seen a 37% decrease in immigrant arrivals and a 50% drop in asylum applications within a year. A voluntary return programme offers a financial incentive of €1,000 to €1,500, leading to a 66% increase in departures in 2023 compared to the previous year, with 782 arrivals and 1,081 departures in the last month alone, resulting in a departure rate exceeding arrivals by 138%. The Pournara First Reception Centre had over 3,000 occupants, and pending asylum applications surpassed 30,000 in March 2023. The government’s strategy focuses on reducing new asylum seeker arrivals, expediting asylum application processes, enhancing accommodation and reception conditions, and increasing the number of returns. Efforts to reduce arrivals include an online campaign in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, and Congo, and negotiating the Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan to incorporate measures against unregulated migration from Turkey. The government has pressed for stricter controls on arrivals via Istanbul Airport, with support from Frontex and Europol, and has taken steps to make Cyprus less appealing by reducing financial incentives and tightening work permit regulations for asylum seekers. Enhanced surveillance in industrial areas to prevent illegal employment, a crackdown on trafficking networks, and the establishment of a specialised police unit have been implemented. The average processing time for asylum applications has been reduced from a year to three months, with a goal to reduce this to 30 days in 2024, helping address the backlog now reduced to around 26,000 cases.

UK job vacancies fall 15 per cent year-on-year in January, Adzuna data shows

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UK job vacancies fall 15 per cent year-on-year in January, Adzuna data shows

British employers advertised the fewest jobs in nearly three years last month, with a 15% decrease from the previous year, according to Adzuna. The official jobless rate was at 3.8%. The Bank of England aims to slow wage growth from rates of more than 6% to reduce inflation. Job vacancies in Britain were reported at 867,436 in January, the lowest since April 2021, down from over 1 million a year earlier. The number of job seekers per advertised vacancy rose to 1.81 from 1.48 a year earlier. Preliminary data for February suggested the number of vacancies was stabilising. The average starting salary for positions advertised was 38,168 pounds, a 3.0% increase from the previous year.

Pre-school , ‘misunderstandings’ will be ironed out says minister (video, updated)

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Pre-school , ‘misunderstandings’ will be ironed out says minister (video, updated)

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou acknowledged misunderstandings with the private preschools association (Sipek) regarding the state’s handling of early childhood education expansion. Sipek members protested potential negative impacts on private preschools and kindergartens, including employment concerns. Michaelidou stated misunderstandings are being resolved and discussed requests concerning the ongoing program. A law under debate proposes compulsory preschool starting at age four, to be implemented over three school years. Sipek’s concerns include loss of autonomy and decision-making. The law is part of Cyprus’ obligation in the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Michaelidou emphasized the importance of finalizing parliamentary discussions for timely program implementation, highlighting private kindergartens as key partners. Parents will have the choice of pre-school attendance, including subsidized attendance at private kindergartens. The program has a budget of approximately €130 million over nine years.

Limassol Chamber of Commerce discusses labour shortages with minister

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Limassol Chamber of Commerce discusses labour shortages with minister

Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the business community for economic development, advocating for rational and balanced policies to promote growth and reduce unemployment. He met with the Limassol Chamber of Commerce (Evel) to exchange information and discuss challenges faced by businesses, including worker shortages and slow public service processes. Panayiotou stressed the need for effective public administration and dialogue to find mutually beneficial solutions for economic growth. He acknowledged the necessity of employing workers from abroad due to the economy growing beyond demographic capacities but also highlighted the importance of utilizing local human resources to ensure satisfactory growth in 2024.

Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

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Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

Around 150 professional lifeguards from across Cyprus protested outside the interior ministry, demanding more permanent positions, the implementation of the national plan ‘Salamis’, and the creation of a central beach service. They highlighted the lack of proper equipment, such as life belts, first aid kits, and defibrillators, and the need for improved lifeguard towers and regular servicing of equipment. The lifeguards also reported being understaffed and expressed concerns about the uncertainty of contract durations. They emphasized the need for year-round staffing, not just during the summer months, and pointed out that in cities like Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca, there are only a few permanent lifeguard positions.

Patrina Taramidou, the interior ministry’s EU policy chief, engaged with the protesters and promised to initiate a dialogue after discussing their demands with the minister of the interior and the ministry’s general director. The ministry had previously issued a statement saying it was evaluating the lifeguard protection system and considering managing it through a central body. Until a decision is made, the ministry suggested meeting needs through existing permanent posts and extending the employment months for seasonal lifeguards.

Labour unions Sek and Peo supported the lifeguards’ protest. Sek general secretary Giorgos Constantinou criticized the ministry for delaying the implementation of decisions and not advancing the Salamis plan, which he said affects the safety of bathers and lifeguards. He argued that the state does not properly staff public beaches, despite imposing penalties for public swimming pools without lifeguards. Constantinou also stated that establishing a single beach security service, as proposed in the Salamis plan, could resolve these issues.

Peo general secretary Michalis Archontides echoed these sentiments, noting that beaches without lifeguards pose a security risk and endanger bathers’ lives. He referenced the Salamis plan, which outlines the placement of lifeguard towers, staffing requirements, and rescue times to improve safety and potentially save lives.

Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

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Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

Around 150 professional lifeguards from across Cyprus protested outside the interior ministry, demanding more permanent positions, the implementation of the national plan ‘Salamis’, and the creation of a central beach service. They highlighted a lack of proper equipment such as life belts, first aid kits, and defibrillators, as well as the need for improved lifeguard towers and regular equipment servicing. The lifeguards also reported being understaffed and faced uncertainty regarding the duration of their contracts. They called for year-round staffing of beaches, noting that some cities have only a few permanent lifeguard positions.

Patrina Taramidou, the EU policy chief of the interior ministry, promised to initiate a dialogue with the lifeguards after discussing their demands with the interior minister and the ministry’s general director. The ministry previously stated it is evaluating the lifeguard protection system and considering managing it through a central body. Until a decision is made, the ministry suggested meeting needs through existing permanent posts and extending seasonal lifeguards’ employment duration.

Labour unions Sek and Peo supported the lifeguards. Sek general secretary Giorgos Constantinou criticized the ministry for delaying the implementation of decisions and the Salamis plan, emphasizing the safety implications for bathers and lifeguards. He suggested that a single beach security service could resolve the operational issues. Peo general secretary Michalis Archontides highlighted the security risks at beaches without lifeguards, referencing the Salamis plan’s guidelines for lifeguard tower placement, staffing, and rescue times.