Cyprus welcomes Lankan workers

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Sri Lankans with 16,000 - 17,000 population account for the highest number of foreign employees from non European states in Cyprus. Nearly 75 per cent of this account for housemaids, 20 per cent farm workers and 5 per cent specialised workers. There are only about 1,000 Indian workers.

According to official records of the Foreign Ministry there are about 1000 Lankan employees stranded in Cyprus. But unofficially the number is said to be around 3,000. In an interview with Manjula Fernando of the Daily News Sri Lankan honourary consul general in Cyprus Doros Jeropoulos said Sri Lankans were fast gaining access to Cyprus job market but the workers coming through Bogus job agencies and third parties were becoming a problem.

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Cyprus and Sri Lanka have maintained close bi-lateral ties since the formation of the non aligned movement in April 1995. Areas of mutual interest are trade, business, tourism and cultural relations. Cyprus is a very popular foreign employment destination among Lankans for its impressive salaries for non skilled workers.

“There was this woman who recently came to Cyprus as a house maid. She has paid Rs. 350,000 lakhs to a relative to get her that job,” said Doros Jeropoulos, Sri lanka Consul General in Cyprus.

Although she got a job in Cyprus, he says this was a crime since she has paid more than double the usual amount an authentic Job Agency would have charged. This is the story of many. He said nearly 200 Sri Lankans come to Cyprus for jobs each month.

Even if you come without the security of a job agency, the consulate is still willing to intervene in an emergency. But, some may never make it to the consulate for fear of deportation. They would go to another Sri Lankan, who plays the ‘big boss’ role and ultimately end up stranded or on the hunted list after their visa expires.

That is where the Agent’s come in. The registered Agents have constant contact with the worker and it has links with the Consular office as well as the Cyprus Labour authorities. So in an emergency the workers have a lifeline. They can get the best advice as to what to do.

Jeropoulos said the consulate which operate as a non profit organisation is not paid by the Government. It is partly funded by the foreign employees fees to Job Agents. The Agents are required to be in constant contact with the workers to ensure their welfare and check if the contract conditions are adhered to.

The workers who secure jobs by other means, such as through bogus job agents, a third party or a relative will be deprived of this welfare facility and are most likely to end up doing a wrong job.

The consulate however, volunteers to help workers facing problems, even those not represented by a proper Job Agency. According to the Consul General Sri Lanka is the only country which has a fully fledged office to settle labour disputes 24/7.

“We have paid-doctors and lawyers where we present a strong case to the labour court in Cyprus if the need arises.”

“Most of the time we end up finding an alternative place for the worker if he or she cannot settle with her original employer. Occasionally if the court prohibits remployment, we will have to send the worker back.”

The consulate settles about 1200 such disputes a year. These are mostly related to salary issues and rarely harassment. About 1000 such disputes are settled with mediation.

There is also a Safe House for workers who seek protection from the consulate.

He said there were about 2,000-3,000 employees in Cyprus whose ‘papers’ have lapsed or some have entered without a valid visa. There are who few asylum seekers. “They cannot be called stranded, they obviously know where they are and earn a living doing more than just one job.”

Some of them are workers who refuse to go back once their four-year job visas expire. There are some who have arrived in Cyprus on student visas. Those entering Cyprus as students are not allowed to do jobs under their Immigration Laws. There are about 500 students who are actually studying in various institutes throughout Cyprus.

Sri Lankans year to come to Cyprus for jobs due to the higher salaries the country offers. The wage for a domestic servant in Cyprus is US$ 470 whereas in the Middle East this will be around US$ 174-225.

According to the Consul General there is a fairly large Sri Lankan Tamil population in Cyprus but they cannot be called LTTE supporters.

“Cyprus is a very small country. Many Sri Lankans go to a public park on holidays and you need just one or two persons to organise a protest on such a day,” he said, referring to recent reports of protests held in support of the LTTE.

The majority of Sri Lankan workers in Cyprus were ordinary workers who do not engage in any illegal activity. “I am happy to say Sri Lankan workers are generally a peaceful community compared to others.”

He urged Sri Lankan workers to come to Cyprus through a proper channel-through a registered job agency to minimise hardships to both workers and the Consultate. These agencies are endorsed by the Foreign Employment Bureau in Sri Lanka as well as by the Labour Department of Cyprus.

Those who come through the proper channel are less prone to face trouble, ensured of good working conditions as well as a safety net if confronted with a problem he or she cannot solve all alone.

Picture by Sudath Malaweera