Significant disagreements have arisen between the Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEB) and the Pan-Cyprian Nurses’ Union (PASYNO) regarding how to address the nursing staff shortage. At the center of the debate are the recruitment of nurses from third countries, the proposed 10% cap, and language proficiency requirements, with both sides presenting their positions on the program “Alpha Kalimera.”
As Michalis Grigoriou, Head of Business Development at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OEB), noted, the shortage of nurses is a well-documented problem, particularly in private hospitals. According to a study by the Ministry of Health, there are approximately 600 vacant positions, while the number is estimated to reach 650 due to additional needs expected to arise from the implementation of legislation regarding rehabilitation and palliative care centers. Mr. Gregoriou emphasized the need to find immediate solutions, noting that the proposals currently before the House of Representatives are insufficient to fully address the problem.
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He placed particular emphasis on the proposed 10% cap on the employment of nurses from third countries, describing the regulation as unfair to the healthcare sector. As he explained, the current strategy for employing foreign workers sets a 30% quota for companies without collective bargaining agreements and a 50% quota for those that have them. “It is extremely unfair, because—especially for hospitals—what is already in place across all sectors of the economy is being reduced from 30% and 50% to 10%,” he said, expressing the view that such an exception could even raise constitutional issues.
Regarding language proficiency, Mr. Gregoriou advocated for maintaining the A1 level upon nurses’ arrival in Cyprus, rather than the proposed upgrade to B1. “This is a suggestion we’ve been making as well: that they arrive with at least a basic knowledge of Greek—at least at the A1 level—and to take intensive language courses here in Cyprus,” he noted. He explained that nurses should hold recognized academic qualifications, and that during their adjustment period, they will be able to perform support duties under the supervision of Greek-speaking nurses serving as shift supervisors. He also emphasized that hiring staff from third countries is a transitional solution until long-term measures to strengthen the profession take effect.
For his part, PASYNO Spokesperson Dimitris Kountouris made it clear that the union disagrees with the OEB’s approach, as it considers it essential to maintain strict criteria to ensure the quality of the services provided. “What we are saying is that, based on the bill submitted to Parliament regarding the 10% quota for nurses from third countries, we must ensure that the admission criteria for nurses from third countries remain high, for the sake of patient quality and patient safety,” he said.
Mr. Kountouris also argued that the real problem is not a shortage of trained nurses, but the inability to attract and retain them in the profession. “We do not have a shortage of nursing staff. We have a problem with retaining them,” he stated, emphasizing that the reasons why these professionals are not working in the field must be investigated. Finally, he described the Ministry of Health’s subsidy for nursing studies as a positive step, while acknowledging that it will take time to yield results.
