Clarification on Asylum Seekers’ Employment Regulations
The Cypriot Ministry of the Interior has recently provided a detailed explanation of the updated employment regulations for asylum seekers in the country. In a significant policy shift, as of October 2023, all asylum seekers must now wait nine months from the time they submit their application before they are permitted to seek employment. This is a substantial increase from the previous one-month waiting period and applies uniformly to individuals from all countries, whether they are deemed safe or not.
Employers have been cautioned by the Ministry to strictly follow these new guidelines. Non-compliance with the nine-month rule could lead to serious consequences, including administrative penalties and potential imprisonment for hiring an asylum seeker prematurely. Moreover, the Aliens and Migration Law authorizes the authorities to permanently revoke the right of an employer to hire foreign workers if found in violation of these regulations.
To facilitate compliance, the Ministry has integrated the Asylum Service System with the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance’s database. This integration aims to simplify the process for employers to confirm the eligibility of asylum seekers for employment. The Ministry has also partnered with the Department of Labour to ramp up inspections at workplaces, ensuring that the new employment regulations are being adhered to.
The Ministry’s statement underscores its commitment to regulating the employment of asylum seekers while emphasizing the legal responsibilities of employers within Cyprus. These measures reflect the government’s approach to balancing the rights of asylum seekers with the need to maintain structured and legal employment practices.
