Friday, March 11, 2022

SAME 'LIFE JACKET' FOR CYPRUS REQUESTED FOR UKRAINE ISSUES AS THERE WAS FOR COVID

 Filenews 11 March 2022 - by Adamos Adamou



State intervention to support businesses and workers, as happened during the pandemic, is now officially requested by employers, due to the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine.

Specifically, in a letter to three ministers, OEB calls for actions to limit the impact on the economy of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and employment, in view of the start of the tourist season, proposing, among other things, a resumption of the support plans implemented to address the effects of the pandemic. The letter, which proposes four measures to address the situation, is signed by the President of OEB Antonis Antoniou and it is addressed to the Ministers of Finance, Labour and Interior. However, it is striking that, while OEB is asking for support for employment, especially in areas dependent on Russian arrivals, it insists at the same time on the need to continue the process of authorising staff from third countries. It is noted, however, that on the issue, the Minister of Labour told "F" only yesterday that the examination of requests for employment of staff from third countries will also take into account the new data.

In its letter to the three ministers, OEB asks for the following:

Business support schemes. As the OEB states, new plans to support businesses that are demonstrably affected by the effects of the war should be drawn up on the basis of real needs. The plans, he adds, should last for as long as necessary in order to avoid bankruptcies due to the war and its side effects. He also notes that the plans that were formulated and implemented during the pandemic are a good basis for the formulation of the new support plans. OEB stresses that it considers it necessary to ask the EU to create a new financial instrument, within the framework or model of Next Generation EU and the Recovery and Resilience Plan, given that each member country alone will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to finance the support of the economy.

Employment support schemes. According to OEB, as was done during the pandemic, employment should be supported and in particular (a) in the traditional tourist areas (free Famagusta and Paphos rely on Russian tourists) and (b) in Limassol, where many businesses with related activities with Ukraine and Russia are based.

Granting of employment licenses of foreign third countries in the tourism sector. As OEB notes, despite the fundamental change of scenery due to the war, in case the situation normalizes, the tourism industry should be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that may arise. Therefore, he argues that the process that has begun for granting employment permits of foreigners of third countries, as a priority to hotels, restaurants and other businesses related to tourism, should be continued and completed as soon as possible.

Granting of employment permits to Ukrainian citizens. OEB reiterates its recommendation for the adoption of emergency measures that will help in the relocation of businesses in Cyprus located in the war zone, proposing the granting of permits for entry, residence and employment of their staff, with a tourist visa and with the subsequent implementation of all thorough checks and conditions for employment of foreigners of third countries. According to OEB, employment permits should also be granted, immediately, to Ukrainian and Russian citizens who are currently in our country.