In our aim to advocate for a fair and inclusive society, we work with vulnerable and marginalized communities, channeling their grievances and voices to make sure they are heard. Through advocacy and awareness-raising activities, we highlight discriminatory practice and policies as well as the tools and mechanisms available to confront these.
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FAIR
As of September 29th, 2023, asylum seekers in Cyprus must wait nine months before being able to access the labor market, replacing the previous one-month restriction. Even after this period, their employment remains restricted to a limited set of specific low-paid sectors, such as agriculture, waste management, cleaning services, and food delivery. However, key economic sectors such as construction and hospitality, which face persistent labor shortages, remain inaccessible to asylum seekers. These restrictions leave asylum seekers underemployed, economically vulnerable, and dependent on insufficient state support. At the same time, employers struggle to fill vacancies, contributing to broader challenges for Cyprus’ labor market.
Key Objective:
The FAIR initiative aims to advocate for policy reform that addresses labor market needs while promoting safe, dignified, and inclusive employment opportunities for asylum seekers in Cyprus.
Key Activities:
- Asylum seeker and refugee impact study (200 survey responses, 20 in-person in-depth interviews)
- Labor market needs assessment and stakeholder consultations
- Legal and policy report and recommendations development and publication
- Policy recommendations presentation conference
Duration:
April 2025 – December 2025
Implementor:
Generation for Change CY
Supported by:
Choose Love
The Policy Report and Policy Brief on the impact of labour market restrictions on asylum seekers in Cyprus are available below.
