Government crackdown on foreign workers

THE GOVERNMENT has decided not to issue any new work permits for foreigners in the building sector in an effort to cut local unemployment in the industry.

Work permits will not be renewed or issued in the construction industry because 1,000 Cypriots are out of work, while 1,200 foreigners are employed in the sector, the government said yesterday.

And police have been instructed to crack down on illegal employment in the building industry.

The Labour Ministry is also urging unions to report any employer who might be harbouring illegal workers.

Furthermore, the government will not issue work permits in the health sector to foreigners wanting to join the nursing profession.

Private clinics have been warned not to hire non-Cypriots as professional nurses.

The restrictions do not apply to EU nationals.

And in line with the tough stance, the Agriculture Ministry said it also was determined to carry out stricter controls and checks on seasonal employment in the fields.

From now on, farmers must produce greater proof that they need seasonal foreign workers for specific tasks, the ministry said.

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