Newsroom
African migrant workers and labour activists gathered in Nicosia's Old Town on Sunday for Cyprus's first-ever African Workers’ Conference. The six-hour gathering, infused with cultural exchange through music and food, marked a significant step in uniting the African workforce on the island.
The event, organized by the Industrial Workers of the World Cyprus Regional Organising Committee (IWW-CyROC) in collaboration with African community leaders, spotlighted the shared struggles of African workers in Cyprus. Speakers from the Cameroonian community shared insights into their nation’s history and the ongoing challenges back home, while organisers highlighted parallels between the colonial histories of Cyprus and Cameroon. The discussions emphasized the mutual challenges faced by workers globally, particularly the barriers to obtaining asylum and residence status in Cyprus, even for those who have lived and worked on the island for years.
Participants used the occasion to build bridges within their community, launching a communication network to foster solidarity and mutual aid among African workers. Many attendees expressed hope that this conference would serve as a stepping stone for broader labour organisation, with plans already underway for a follow-up event.
As one attendee put it, “This is one more step closer to uniting and fighting for our common interests.” For the African workforce in Cyprus, the conference symbolized both a celebration of their cultural heritage and a commitment to achieving greater labour rights and support.
