Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

Some Turkish construction workers, stymied by the stagnant construction business in Turkey, have started looking for better paying work in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC).

A skilled construction worker in Turkey earns between YTL 30 and YTL 70 per day on average, depending on experience and skills. In the KKTC, however, wages are roughly twice that much. For example, the minimum wage is YTL 1,100 per month in the KKTC, whereas it is slightly over YTL 500 per month in Turkey.
The KKTC construction sector is enjoying a boom, and thus still needs more workers despite the increasing flow of Turkish workers to the island. The main reason for this is the exodus of Turkish Cypriots who are seeking better paying jobs on the Greek side of the island. A construction worker on the Greek side earns around YTL 1,200 per week.

However, the KKTC government is planning to introduce regulations concerning workers from Turkey that will require them to obtain a valid work permit. In the past, anyone legally allowed to travel to the KKTC could also work there. Contractors already have to pay an extra amount for Turkish workers to the KKTC administration, a cost that can deter contractors from employing Turkish workers.
Director of the Construction Occupation Committee of the Adana Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Halil Avcı pointed out that the possibility of KKTC becoming a member of the EU draws investments to this part of the island. Greek Cyprus has been a member of the EU since Jan. 1, 2005, representing the whole island, despite strong objections from Turkey.

Turkish Cypriot Contractors Union President Cafer Gürcafer said workers coming from Turkey are a positive thing for the KKTC. Speaking to the Anatolia news agency yesterday, Gürcafer said 4,500 Turkish Cypriot workers go to the Greek side every day to work although the KKTC needs around 40,000 workers for ongoing construction projects.

[Feisty]

Is there a labour shortage in Southern Cyprus then or is it that Greek Cypriots won't work in these jobs?
How much is 1200YTL anyway?

[halil]

Is there a labour shortage in Southern Cyprus then or is it that Greek Cypriots won't work in these jobs?
How much is 1200YTL anyway?

USD=1.226 YTL
Euro=1.908 YTL
STG=2.399 YTL

[Tim Drayton]

Is there a labour shortage in Southern Cyprus then or is it that Greek Cypriots won't work in these jobs?
How much is 1200YTL anyway?

I live on the edge of the Limassol urban sprawl where there is a lot of construction work going on. I find it interesting when out on my daily walks to listen out for the languages being spoken on the various building sites that I pass. It is a veritable tower of Babel.

Why, a few decades ago, were Cypriots doing the jobs the locals didn't want to do in Britain? Were the British lazy, or were the Cypriots prepared to work for less money? It all depends on your viewpoint.

Unemployment is currently very low in this part of Cyprus, and a lot of construction work is still going on, and this makes it a magnet for foreign labour.

[Feisty]

I was more interested in the statistics rather than being confrontational. Have no idea of earnings for any job in Cyprus.