Labour minister calls for urgent implementation of Egypt migration agreement

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Cyprus Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas addressed the Labour Advisory Board regarding the ongoing failure to utilize an intergovernmental agreement designed to recruit workers from Egypt. Mousiouttas admitted that not a single worker has arrived in Cyprus under the program to date, despite critical labor shortages across various manual labor sectors. He emphasized that the failure to operationalize the agreement leaves the Republic of Cyprus exposed to economic instability.

The agreement, which was expanded during a ministerial visit to Egypt last Easter, originally focused on agriculture and livestock but now encompasses construction, tourism, retail, and computing. Currently, the Ministry of Labour is reviewing applications from major companies submitted through the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE). Authorities are now coordinating with Egyptian counterparts to identify candidates who possess the specific skills required by the local market.

Minister Mousiouttas noted that the labor shortage is not limited to the construction industry but spans multiple sectors. Efforts are underway by both Cypriot and Egyptian officials to jump-start the recruitment process and resolve the administrative hurdles that have prevented the arrival of foreign labor thus far.