Bill On RoC-US Agreement For Travel Sent To House Plenary For Vote

Α bill on the agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America for cooperation on the use of travel information is to be tabled to the House Plenary for a vote this week.

Justice Minister, Marios Hartsiotis, told the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs that if the bill is passed on time, possibly at the end of 2024, “certainly within 2025”, we will be able to talk about visa liberalisation.

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During the session, Hartsiotis briefed the Committee members on the bill concerning the agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Cyprus and the US, regarding the use of travel information. He said that the agreement is one of the conditions for the inclusion of the Republic of Cyprus in the US visa waiver program.

On a practical level, he said, travellers to the US for a period of up to 90 days will have to fill out an online application, and that, in a short time, and at minimal cost, they will receive an answer, after their information is passed through the system.

He also noted that currently, those who want to travel to the US have to go through a difficult procedure.

If everything goes well and the bill is passed on time, the Minister said, possibly by the end of the year, or certainly within 2025, “we will now be able to talk about” visa liberalisation.

Hartsiotis also referred to a “massive benefit” regarding further shielding the State against all types of risks, such as organised crime, drugs, terrorism, etc. He also said that the Republic of Cyprus would have at its disposal “perhaps one of the most perfect” information exchange systems.

Chairman of the Committee, Harris Georgiades, said that the bill is to be tabled to the plenary this week.

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Non-Cypriots Overrepresented In Top And Bottom Wage Groups: A Closer Look At Wage Dynamics In Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 14, 2025

Overview Of Wage Growth And Disparity

The Cypriot labor market is experiencing notable changes as the average gross monthly earnings have risen by 5.1 percent, reaching €2,483 in 2024, according to Cystat. However, while the overall increase paints an encouraging picture, the gap between the average and median wages—€1,881—signals persistent inequality. This discrepancy indicates that higher salaries are inflating the average, leaving many workers earning significantly less.

Sectoral Variations And Economic Activity

The detailed report unveils varied trends across economic sectors. In agriculture, forestry, and fishing, the lowest average earnings were recorded at €941, whereas the financial and insurance sector led the pack with an average of €4,710. The information and communication technology (ICT) sector saw a remarkable wage increase of 8.1 percent, and comparable gains were observed in human health, social work, water supply, and waste management activities. Even traditionally steady sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and wholesale trade registered double-digit earnings adjustments, reflecting a wide spectrum of growth across industries.

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Disparities Between Cypriot And Non-Cypriot Earnings

One of the report’s most striking revelations is the disproportionate representation of non-Cypriot workers in both the lowest and highest wage brackets. For instance, while the average gross monthly earnings for Cypriot employees reached €2,506 with a median of €2,053, non-Cypriots earned an average of €2,434 and a markedly lower median of €1,544. The earnings gap is further underscored by sector-specific differences: non-Cypriots in fields such as ICT and education often command significantly higher wages compared to their Cypriot counterparts, yet they are equally represented among those with earnings below €1,500 per month.

Implications For Policy And The Labor Market

The report’s insights into wage structures and demographic distinctions offer a critical perspective for policymakers and business leaders. The overrepresentation of non-Cypriots in both the upper echelons and the lower end of the wage spectrum highlights the complexities of labor market segmentation. Such disparities could prompt renewed debates about labor equity, integration policies, and the need for targeted interventions aimed at reducing wage inequality. As Cyprus continues its upward trajectory in average earnings, addressing these imbalances will be essential to fostering a more inclusive economic landscape.

Conclusion

The latest figures from Cystat illuminate both progress and challenges in the Cypriot wage landscape. While wage growth is apparent across sectors, the uneven distribution of earnings—further exacerbated by significant discrepancies between Cypriot and non-Cypriot workers—calls for a more nuanced understanding of labor market dynamics. The data underscore the need for strategic policy measures to bridge the gap between different worker demographics and ensure that growth benefits are broadly shared across the entire workforce.

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