Breaking news

Cyprus Faces Persistent Labour Shortages Across Healthcare, Technology And Tourism

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus is facing a widening labour market mismatch, with 63 occupations in shortage and 11 in surplus in 2024, according to the EURES Labour Shortages and Surpluses Report 2025.

The findings highlight continued recruitment challenges across several of the island’s key industries, particularly healthcare, technology and tourism.

Healthcare And Technology Face The Greatest Shortages

Healthcare occupations recorded some of the most severe shortages, including nurses, midwives, medical imaging technicians, general practitioners, specialist doctors, healthcare assistants and health and care services managers.

Demand also remains high for technology professionals. Employers reported shortages of information and communications technology sales specialists, systems analysts, software and applications developers, as well as web and multimedia developers.

Transport and hospitality occupations were also affected, with waiters and bus drivers among the professions experiencing shortages.

Tourism, Retail And Construction Continue To Feel The Pressure

Moderate shortages were identified across occupations linked to tourism, retail and construction. These include restaurant managers, retail and wholesale managers, accountants, electricians, electronics and mechanical technicians, chefs, shop sales assistants and cashiers.

Construction and industrial trades also remained under pressure. Builders, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, welders, heavy goods vehicle drivers, cleaners and workers in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and construction-related services were all listed among occupations facing shortages.

Lower-severity shortages were recorded for engineers across several disciplines, hotel receptionists, cooks, carpenters, plumbers, electrical fitters, bakers and kitchen assistants.

Cyprus Reflects A Wider European Trend

Cyprus mirrors a broader labour market imbalance across the European Union, although shortages vary significantly between member states. Bulgaria, Italy and the Netherlands reported shortages across a wide range of occupations, from doctors to welders, with 57% classified as moderate or severe. Latvia, Austria and Finland, by contrast, recorded more labour surpluses, particularly in administrative and creative occupations.

According to the report, 98% of occupations experiencing shortages in at least one member state also recorded surpluses elsewhere in the European Union.

Structural Barriers Continue To Limit Labour Mobility

EURES attributes these imbalances to several structural factors, including limited awareness of job opportunities abroad, difficulties in recognising professional qualifications, language barriers and wage differences between countries.

Healthcare and social care remain among the sectors facing the greatest shortages across Europe, driven by ageing populations and growing demand for healthcare services.

Demand is also increasing for technical occupations linked to the green transition, including electricians, plumbers and roof technicians, as countries continue investing in energy efficiency and infrastructure.

Measures Proposed To Address Labour Gaps

The report recommends strengthening labour mobility across the European Union by simplifying the recognition of professional qualifications and reducing administrative barriers. It also calls for improvements in job quality, greater investment in vocational education and training, and measures to encourage higher labour market participation among women, older workers and migrants.

The findings are based on administrative data submitted by EURES National Coordination Offices for 2024, drawing on information from public employment services and other national sources across the European Union.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

eCredo
Aretilaw firm
Uol
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter