Cyprus-Forum.com

[G.Man]

I think this will create a lot of racism in the future if people start losing their jobs because foreigners accept much lower salaries.

Maybe the cypriots should stop employing them then

[doglover]

I don't know, but I think it's a disgrace Kikapu. The wages are very low over here, even for some Cypriots.

A question for the British forum members living and working in Cyprus: I am aware that there are horrendous taxes in the UK (council tax, NI, income tax etc.) that must take a huge chunk out of the average persons salary. I think it's one third that goes on taxes? And then deduct your rent, or mortgage payment every month. Do the higher wages compensate for that, leaving you with a bit more money at the end of the month than you would be left with on a salary in Cyprus, after you've paid for your rent and other bills? Although we don't have such taxes over here, the wages are still low, considering the costs of living here.

[Kikapu]

I don't know, but I think it's a disgrace Kikapu. The wages are very low over here, even for some Cypriots.

A question for the British forum members living and working in Cyprus: I am aware that there are horrendous taxes in the UK (council tax, NI, income tax etc.) that must take a huge chunk out of the average persons salary. I think it's one third that goes on taxes? And then deduct your rent, or mortgage payment every month. Do the higher wages compensate for that, leaving you with a bit more money at the end of the month than you would be left with on a salary in Cyprus, after you've paid for your rent and other bills? Although we don't have such taxes over here, the wages are still low, considering the costs of living here.

And despite of all the deductions the British and other EU citizens pay, they can still afford to come to Cyprus and other places for a holiday once or twice a year. I also have this question to ask. If an average Cypriot with an average salary has a hard time maintaining a good standard of living, how an earth does a person from a 3rd world country is able to survive, earning half as much, and send some money to their families, to the country they came from. Do they only pay half the cost when buying things, than Cypriots, or is it just "too bad".

I'm sorry doglover, but it seems, there's not too much compassion given to people from 3rd world countries, so what chance does cats and dogs stand.??!!

[Hazza]

I visit different homes on a daily basis, some of the living standards are beyond belief.

One bedsit I went to had a double bed with 3 Indians sharing the cost.
A 2 bedroom flat had 8 Chinese sharing with matresses everywhere
A 1 bed flat with 2 Polish guys sharing. Living room was totally empty apart from 2 plastic chairs to sit on and a plastic table.

One Polish guy that I know works all day, goes home for a quick shower and 30 minute nap before going to work again in a restaurant. He works from 7.30am to 5pm, goes home, has his sleep and shower before going back to work for 6:30pm until 2am. He doesn't want to work all those hours but because he gets paid a very low salary, he is forced to in order to make ends meet.

I'm not so sure that lower wages is what they ask for. Its what they are given, take it or leave it. They have no choice in the matter.

[doglover]

And despite of all the deductions the British and other EU citizens pay, they can still afford to come to Cyprus and other places for a holiday once or twice a year. I also have this question to ask. If an average Cypriot with an average salary has a hard time maintaining a good standard of living, how an earth does a person from a 3rd world country is able to survive, earning half as much, and send some money to their families, to the country they came from. Do they only pay half the cost when buying things, than Cypriots, or is it just "too bad".

I'm sorry doglover, but it seems, there's not too much compassion given to people from 3rd world countries, so what chance does cats and dogs stand.??!!

Good point, Kikapu. I have asked myself those same questions. There are so many people from England that holiday here two or three times a year, and most have average paying jobs.

See, people from Sri Lanka, and other 3rd world countries really struggle to get by over here. They usually have to share accomodation, (most often it's 3 people sharing a small one bedroom flat in a not so nice area.) They can't afford all of the small luxuries that we Cypriots enjoy. They work really hard, and struggle to get by with what they are left with after they have sent some of their earnings home. I know a woman from Georgia that works for a restaurant here. She earns 12 pounds a day, and works a 9 hour shift. She said that the wages are better here than in her own country.

That's why they take advantage of them. I guess they think they should be greatful because the 10 measly pounds that they give them here has more spending power in their own countries.

[GG]

I think this will create a lot of racism in the future if people start losing their jobs because foreigners accept much lower salaries.

A bit like what happened in the UK when the Cypriots, Italians, Indians etc landed in England in the 70's. Slowly these ethnic minorities of yesteryear are now all their own bosses and extermely succesful. I think the same will happen in Cy. Russians will open their own restaurants, Chinese will start their own plumbing/electrical businesses and who knows, maybe the Cypriots will be changing the nappies of the east european kids and getting £12 per day for the pleasure.

[elena09]

maybe the Cypriots will be changing the nappies of the east european kids and getting £12 per day for the pleasure.[/color][/quote]

I don't think so, I don't see the English changing nappies today..

[doglover]

maybe the Cypriots will be changing the nappies of the east european kids and getting £12 per day for the pleasure.[/color]

I don't think so, I don't see the English changing nappies today..[/quote]

eh?

[Biker]

I agree with most of the comments above but...THERE ARE GOOD WELL PAID JOBS OUT THERE!!!

It might help if Cypriots stopped wasting money on educating their kids for jobs that nobody needs.
Half of my daughters friends seem to be taking courses in "fashion design" and the other half in "business management" and I've lost count of how mant qualified "Hotel Managers" I've met doing other jobs over the years.

Meanwhile the business's need typists and translators, painters and plumbers, and of course waiters...and are paying good money for them.

My 18 yo son is making close to £1000 a month as a painter, the GC boss was desperate for more staff, in the end he took several TCs and a British guy, I needed a plumber to plumb in a washing machine, not a chance until I got hold of a TC, he charged £70 for a couple of hours work.

I know a bank in Limassol that needs drivers, the main requirement is excellent English, wage...£1000 pm plus overtime.

[souroul]

its both a good thing and a bad thing. cypriots will have no other chance but to drag their ass to school and educate themselves. is it better to work for a respectable company as.. an IT specialist, or fix people's shitters?

somebody mentioned america having the same "problem". well its no problem as its proven that illegal immigrants and cheap labor actually help the economy rather than drag it down. the real problem is that the government's welfare program is taking a beating, as they are giving out money and all sorts of benefits to legal/illegal immigrants who live in poverty. as long as this doesnt happen in cyprus, its all good.

i mean think about it.. you have a bunch of low wage immigrants working out in the fields and/or doing all sorts of everyday jobs.. providing cypriots and others cheap everyday living expenses. so its more money for the cypriots/others to spend elsewhere. cyprus also doesnt allow educated foreign labor in the island that easily, europeans excluded.

the more they come, the cheaper the low end labor will be, and we'll eventually reach an equilibrium