Newsroom
Cyprus’s main nursing unions have called for proposed changes to the rules governing the recruitment of nurses from third countries to be halted, arguing that staffing shortages should be addressed through better employment conditions and recruitment of local professionals.
In a joint statement following Thursday’s meeting of the House Health Committee, SEVETTYK PEO, OYK SEK, PASYDY and PASYNO rejected the proposed amendments, saying the arguments presented by the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) and the Cyprus Association of Private Hospitals (PASIN) were not supported by sufficient evidence.
The unions said the discussion had failed to establish the basis for an agreed solution and opposed sending the legislation to the House plenary for approval in its current form.
They also criticized the Ministry of Health for failing to bring unions, nursing representatives and employer organizations together for discussions. According to the unions, the ministry had 15 days to arrange a meeting that could have helped establish a solution based on evidence and the needs of the healthcare sector.
Patient safety and language standards at the centre of dispute
A key issue for the unions is the language proficiency required of nurses working in Cyprus. They argue that language standards must reflect the responsibilities of the profession and allow nurses to communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare workers.
The unions maintain that communication is directly linked to the quality of care and patient safety, warning against any legislative changes that could weaken professional standards or compromise hospital services.
Employment conditions are another central point of disagreement. The unions insist that collective labour agreements must protect wages, benefits and other workplace rights for both current nurses and future recruits, including those arriving from overseas.
They argue that improving employment terms could help Cyprus retain existing nursing staff and attract more local professionals to the sector.
The four organizations also maintain that staffing needs can be met by recruiting Cypriot nurses, provided that working conditions are made sufficiently attractive to encourage recruitment and prevent experienced staff from leaving.
They called for a more carefully planned response to staffing shortages, supported by reliable data and meaningful consultation between the government, employers and worker representatives.
The dispute comes as policymakers consider changes to the rules for employing nurses from outside the European Union. The unions say any reform must protect patients while maintaining professional standards and the employment rights of nursing staff.
