Description
The aim of this pre-defined project was to enhance the knowledge and capacity of the Cypriot authorities, social partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure fair and decent working conditions for migrant workers in Cyprus, based on exchange of good practice from Norway.
It involved capacity building and training of the labour inspectorates of the two countries to strengthen their efforts in protecting migrant workers, in cooperation with social partners and NGOs, and aimed at exploring joint activities and cooperation to increase awareness, knowledge and a better coordination to ensure decent work for migrant workers and protect them from social dumping and exploitation.
This project included a formal cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance in Cyprus, which includes the Department of Labour Inspection, and the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate. For practical reasons, the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate was the project promoter, and signed the contract with the Fund Operator Innovation Norway.
Beneficiaries of the project were representatives from relevant ministries (12), social partners (14) and non-governmental organisations (4) which took part in the different training and capacity-building activities, including 30 persons from Cyprus and 6 from Norway. End beneficiaries were migrant workers, which will benefit from the project as a result of improved knowledge, practices and cooperation between relevant stakeholders in Cyprus.
The project involved the main social partner organisations from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot side, as well as two representatives from the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).
The main activities in the project were: a seminar in Cyprus, a study trip to Norway, and participation in the SDDW networking seminar in Prague.
Summary of project results
This pre-defined project included cooperation between Norwegian and Cypriot labour inspectorates, social partners, and other stakeholders, and was funded on mutual interest for capacity building for the partners from both countries. The overarching objective of the project was to share good practices regarding how different stakeholders at a national and bilateral level can protect and empower migrant workers, including third-country nationals. The formal cooperation was between the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate and the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance in Cyprus, which includes the Department of Labour Inspection. The project involved the main social partner organisations from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot side, as well as the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).
The activities in the project have been: (a) a seminar in Cyprus (b) a study trip to Norway (c) participation in the networking seminar in Prague. All activities took place in March and April 2024.
The Cypriot partners reported that their participation in the programme took part in the two actions co-organized by the the partners of Norway and Cyprus. The first action was a conference held in Larnaca, Cyprus between 19 and 20 March 2024. The second action held on 9 April 2024 concerned a study visit made by eight Cypriot representatives of the social partners in Oslo. Both actions revolved around the participation of migrant workers in the labour market given their vulnerable position, which involves a high risk of exploitation compared to native workers. The programme enabled information exchange between Norway and Cyprus and through that process it enabled capacity-building of the social partners and other stakeholders in such a way as to strengthen their efforts in protecting and empowering migrant workers in Cyprus and Norway.
The Cypriots highlighted that the project was beneficial for them because sharing practices with their Norwegian colleagues helped them view their country’s policies in a new way. Through the participation in the project, they gained useful information and insights regarding immigrant integration in Norway. Norwegian practices regarding the involvement of the social partners and other stakeholders were also very important, given that such involvement in Cyprus is very low. The experiences gained, will help them in the future especially in upgrading their services and in adopting new policies. Promoting practices already tested in Norway is a safe way forward for Cyprus.
In addition to the above, the Cypriots reported that their participation in the project was a great networking opportunity for the Cyprus government and the social partners. To this end, the close cooperation between the participants from both countries during the projects will surely lead to future cooperation between Norway and Cyprus.
The Norwegian partners highlighted three benefits from this project: the sharing of good examples, the establishment of contacts for future cooperation, and Norway Grants has been introduced for their Cypriot colleagues. Five Norwegian participants visited Cyprus in March 2024: two from the labour inspectorate, one from FMO, one union representative and one from the employer’s federation. When Cyprus visited Norway in April 2024, they also met representatives from NGO’s, Oslo municipality, directorate of integration and a union for construction workers, as well as a presentation of the Service centre for foreign workers.
For the Norwegian participants, the project was a good opportunity to learn from their Cypriot colleagues. Cyprus faces many of the same challenges as Norway when it comes to safeguarding migrant workers. Useful discussions and sharing of good examples took place with both the labour inspectorate, the ministry, as well as the social partners. Establishing contacts and trust will make it easier to contact and get support from Cyprus when needed and to reach out to them for assistance, both for inspections and information towards migrants. This also applies to the social partners.