Small and medium-sized enterprises in Cyprus face challenges hiring non-EU workers

According to the European Commission's Flash Eurobarometer 571 published on Monday, 65% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cyprus report difficulty in hiring workers from outside the European Union. This figure is notably higher than the EU average of 54%. The primary obstacle cited by 47% of Cypriot SMEs is complex or time-consuming recruitment and immigration procedures, compared to 31% across the EU. Additionally, 38% of Cypriot businesses struggle to find suitable candidates, surpassing the 25% average recorded in the EU. Lack of information regarding immigration procedures was reported by 18% of Cypriot firms, consistent with the 16% EU average. The most sought-after roles for third-country nationals in Cyprus include cleaning and support staff at 42%, construction workers at 29%, and catering or food processing personnel at 26%. These sectoral percentages significantly exceed the European averages of 12%, 17%, and 14%, respectively.