The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Cyrus has reported that the Government of Cyprus recently releases new policies on household service workers (HSWs).

The following are the interior ministry ™s new measures that were passed at the beginning of the year and now being implemented:

> Change of name, from the Greek equivalent of œhouse helpers  to œhouse workers ;
> Inclusion of those workers in the bank guarantee system;
> Requirement for workers to have relevant work experience;
>  Should have English or Greek language skills;
> Reduction in the length of work visa from four years to two years (subject to 2 year extension);
> Changes to application fees (applicable for employers); and
> A pay increase for workers from 429 Euros a month to 456 Euros was also mandated as early as January this year.

There are around 36,000 household workers in Cyprus, 11,000 of which are from Vietnam while majority of the remainder came from Sri Lanka and Philippines.

POLO-Cyrus reported that the Cyprus government finds the Filipino household workers organized and can speak at least English, if not Greek.

The Post also reported that an initiative has taken from their side to push for the authorities of Cyprus to open its market for caregivers given the increase in the aging population that will result to high demand on the labor force.

For information.


Date Filed: 31  May 2011


(SGD.) CARLOS S. CAO, JR.
Administrator