Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Yiannis Panagiotou announced that the social partners—trade unions and employers—have agreed on a proposal concerning the participation of third-country nationals in the Cyprus labour market.

This three-point agreement paves the way for discussions to shape an "agreed content" regarding the updated Strategy for the Employment of Foreign Workers in Cyprus. The proposal was submitted to the social partners on April 9.

Speaking after a meeting with trade unions and employers, accompanied by the leaders or high-ranking officials of Cyprus's trade unions and employers' associations, Panagiotou praised their leadership, noting that "the social partners have once again shown the seriousness and maturity that traditionally characterizes them, enabling them to reach mutually accepted agreements on complex and difficult issues."

"Especially at this current juncture of significant external challenges that affect our country's labour market, internal normality based on cooperation and unity is a necessity that we all address in a responsible manner," he added.

Panagiotou explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation regarding the participation of third-country workers in the labour market "ensures that the social partners reaffirm their mutual focus on constructive cooperation for the appropriate staffing of the labour market through substantive consultative support to the State, for economic growth and social cohesion."

The agreement, he added, provides for cooperation between the social partners through the operation of a Tripartite Consultation Committee at the central level, improvement in the living conditions of foreign workers through common standards and appropriate capacities, and updating the existing Strategy for the Employment of Foreign Labour Force to create a cohesive framework.

Panagiotou said the Committee will convene following the Easter Holidays to begin implementing the agreement's provisions.