Retail sector hampered by housing as well as staff shortages

After finding staff, which is still the number one challenge, not only for retail, but also for several key sectors of the Cypriot economy, housing workers has become a new challenge for employers.

The tourist season has tested the endurance of businesses, which are finding it difficult to find the necessary staff. At the same time, expansions, but also the upcoming arrivals in the retail trade, have created the need for thousands of job places.

Added to the equation is the difficulty of finding housing for the foreign workforce that will be employed. Increased demand and staffing needs cannot be met by the existing supply of workers on the island, with the result that staffing has become an issue.

That homes fulfill particular specifications is non-negotiable

The examination of requests for the introduction of foreign personnel has been expedited with entrepreneurs and the Labour Department developing a relevant channel of communication, although the process of submitting applications remains complex, time-consuming and bureaucratic and electronic submission not available as yet.

In statements to InBusinessNews, the General Secretary of the Pancyprian Retail Trade Association (PASYLE), Marios Antoniou, emphasised that employers have the obligation to ensure accommodation fulfilling the proper specifications for foreign workers coming to Cyprus to meet the needs of the labour market.

In this context, in collaboration with the employers' organizations, Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE), a meeting was requested with the Minister of the Interior with a request to increase the building rate with the aim of developing workers' housing in rural/agricultural areas.

"With new openings, expansions and the thousands of workers from third countries who will be invited to come to Cyprus, finding suitable housing is emerging as a serious issue," Antoniou said, pointing out that employers' responsibility is to ensure workers' livelihood which must also meet some non-negotiable specifications.

PASYLE asks for goodwill towards solving the problems

The limited availability of apartments, the steep increase in rents, but also the refusal of some property owners to accept foreign workers as tenants at their premises, prevents companies from finding housing for their staff, as a result of which they are looking for alternative solutions, such as the construction of apartment buildings in rural areas.

However, due to difficulties in meeting water and electricity needs in these areas, the Ministry of the Interior explained, through its response to those affected, the development of workers' housing cannot proceed for the time being.

On his part, speaking to InBusinessNews, the General Secretary of PASYLE noted that with the support of employers' organisations and with goodwill, a solution can be found regarding the issues of water supply and electricity, stressing that the construction of workers' housing in rural areas is a practice that has also been applied in other European countries.

OEB, KEBE and PASYLE will seek a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, with the aim of finding a formula for derogating the licensing of specific urban planning zones (rural, agricultural), with the aim of developing workers' housing, but also solving the practical issues that arise regarding water and electricity supply in these areas.

(Source: InBusinessNews)