Nicosia 20 June 2014

Migrants and Social Services Delivery in Cyprus

Dr. Stefanos SpaneasSpaneas.s@unic.ac.cy

Globalisation and Labour Movement

Globalisation: What does it mean? A perception of globally integrated system of physical

communication (telephone, internet, airline network, etc.) Shared entertainment (film and TV; popular and classic music,

sport) Economic exchange and capital flows Accelerating spread of ideas and of competing spiritual values

Globalisation and Labour Movement There is far less globalization in respect of labor movement. Despite fear in the West about millions of actual or potential

immigrants, and creation of new ethic minorities in Western Europe, it cannot seriously be claimed that contemporary globalization has much do with labour movements

Globalisation and Migrant Workers

The only concerted attempt to create ‘National treatment’ for migrant workers has been within the EU single market.

But realization of free movement has been very slow despite

cross-border rights to welfare benefits, freedom from controls, some mutual recognition of qualifications and substantial wage differentials

Migration in Cyprus

Cyprus, the last 20 years, has been transformed from a emigrant country to an immigrant one.

The massive entrance of migrant workers resulted to a raise of negative reflections towards them (at least at the beginning)

However, fears that local will loose their jobs were proved false.

The most of them are legal and have significant contributed to the country’s financial and social development.

Migration Statistical Details

Regional analysis of the percentage of non Cypriots

Region

Nationality

Total Cypriot Other

Fx % Fx % Fx %

Nicosia 325.756 100 264.221 81,1 61.535 18,9

Famagousta 46.452 100 37.016 79,7 9.436 20,3

Larnaca 143.367 100 114.103 79,6 29.264 20,4

Limasol 235.056 100 186.536 79,4 48.520 20,6

Paphos 235.056 100 57.474 65,1 30.792 34,9

Total 838.897

100 659.350 78.6 179.547 21,4

REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, STATISTICAL SERVICE, (Τελευταία Ενημέρωση

29/12/2011)

Migration Statistical Details

Country of Origin

Fx % % of the total TCN population

Philippines 9.744 14,52 5,4

Russia 8.663 12,91 4,8

Shri Lanka 7.350 10,95 4,1

Vietnam 7.102 10,58 4,0

Syria 3.235 4,82 1,8

Ukraine 3.023 4,50 1,7

India 2.955 4,40 1,6

Georgia 2.113 3,15 1,2

Others 22.938 34,17 12,8

Total 67.123 100 37,4

179.547 immigrants are living in Cyprus 67.123 are Third Country Nationals

•REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, STATISTICAL SERVICE, (Τελευταία Ενημέρωση 29/12/2011)

Job characteristics for the Migrant Workers in Cyprus

High Skilled Workers Well educated Business orientation jobs Academics

Low skilled Workers Domestic Worker, Maid Nursing, Care-worker Agriculture and Livestock Worker Restaurant Kitchen, Dish Washing, Waiter Construction Worker

Some Difficulties of the Migrant Workers (Workplace)

Long Working Hours

Poor Working Condition

Injury at Workplace

Low Wages & Overdue Wages

Conflict with indigent workers

Physical Assault

Sexual Harassment

Social Life Problems of the Migrant Workers

Financial Problems

Food

Clothing

Accommodation (poor conditions)

Marital Problems

Climate or Weather

Language and Communication

Cultural Difference

Exploitation by Brokers

Social Service Delivery System

Government Organization

Non- Government Organization

Local Authorities

Social Welfare Services

The Welfare State, for those in need, is based on the provision of Public Assistance, the Elderly and the Disabled.The main purpose is to safeguard every individual's right to a decent

standard of living; offer financial or other support to vulnerable groups

of people; encourage the strengthening of bonds between the

elderly and the disabled with their family and their local Community; and to

end the reliance of public assistance recipients on public assistance benefit and achieve their social inclusion.

Public Assistance and TCN

According to the Law of Public Assistance, in order for someone to receive has to stay legally in Cyprus (permanent residence)

The majority of TCN have temporary residence permit (nowadays on a annual basis)

They don’t have access to Public Assistance (benefits), except if they fulfill specific criteria.

Provision of Services by SWS

Counseling and support to the family in order to cope with the problems that threaten the unity of family.

Protection of children from possible dangers.

Promotion of the rights of children

Prevention of delinquent behaviour

Violence or Outrage on the Migrant Workers

Rape or Sexual Abuse

Referral Service

Death

NGOS

Consulting Problems on the Labor Problems and Immigration Difficulties

Legal Advice

Supporting Migrant Workers’ Community

Events (Picnic, Camp, Athletic Activities. Etc.)

Develop social/cultural life

Participation in Religious Activities

job information

Publishing Newsletter/Newspaper

Local Authorities

Afternoon Care Service for Migrant Worker’s ChildrenCounseling Informal Legal AdvicesGreek language lessonsProvision of Non Formal Education

History and Cyprus Culture Workshops Arts and crafts workshops First Aid workshop Multicultural flavor workshops

Multicultural event with international flavors, music and dance

Challenges

Re-enforcement of Basic Labour Law and Supervision of the employers of the Migrant Workers Prevention and Solution of Irregular Practice of Employment AgencySolution of Labor Problems (Industrial Injuries, Overdue Payment, etc.) Creation of Special Agency (Department) for the Migrant Worker Public awareness for the Change of Negative Attitude of Community People toward the Migrant Worker Acceptance of the Migrant Worker as Members of Local Community Support the Migrants’ Events in the CommunitySupport the setup of Migrants Associations

Contact

Questions, comments ...

are welcome

Dr. Stefanos Spaneas

Assistant Professor of Social Work

University of Nicosia

spaneas.s@unic.ac.cy Tel : 00357 22 842251

Fax : 00357 22 353682