The Republic of Cyprus offers a high standard of living, one of the safest countries in the European Union with over 300 sunshine days, enjoyed by locals and tourists all year round. Cyprus has numerous opportunities for employment, for those that are relocating from another country, whether seasoned professionals, qualified or unqualified individuals.
The Domestic worker route into employment is extremely rewarding, due to the fact that they will be assisting individuals or professionals in their everyday life. The employee will be part of your domestic team working closely with you and your direct family members. The role does not require specific experience but if the applicant has worked in this sector before then it will be advantageous, the applicant may be looking for a career change, there are numerous different opportunities that may appeal to them.
We at Rideo Group work closely with agencies that supply Domestic Workers to employers seeking help, we will be able to point you in the right direction, enabling you to find a trustworthy, hardworking and suitable candidate that best suits you.
What is a Domestic Worker?
Domestic workers are defined as helpers for professionals that seek external assistance in order to carry out domestic work, primarily at home. The employers of a Domestic worker must be of a certain criteria, examples are highlighted below but in exceptional circumstances it may be possible to make an application, as shown further in this section (Rideo Group will be able to advise on each individual situation):
- A family with a Child under the age of 12 where both parents work and contribute to the Social Insurance Fund;
- Couple with no children who both work and declare an annual taxable income greater than €52,000;
- Single parents with a child younger than 12 years old who work and contribute to the Social Insurance Fund;
- Families where one parent works requires the annual taxable income to be in excess of €86,000;
- Single working persons declaring their annual taxable income of at least €52,000, with contributions to the Social Insurance Fund.
There are exceptional circumstances for the employers of a Domestic Worker:
- Elderly persons over the age of 75 years;
- Those that suffer from the following illnesses/diseases that can be proven by the way of a medical certificate from their Doctor or Specialised Physician;
- Cancer, certified from the Oncology Department/Centre;
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS);
- Muscular Dystrophy;
- Kidney Disease;
- Myopathy;
- Serious Psychological or Mental Disorders;
- Limited Vision;
- Advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis, that significantly reduces movement;
- Alzheimer’s;
- Senile Dementia;
- Overweight persons that have problems with movement;
- Persons with disabilities, including amputees;
- Heart failure;
- Severe Epilepsy;
- Parkinson’s Disease;
- Stroke;
- Thalassemia.
The numerous roles that a Domestic worker may undertake can be in the form of:
- Domestic workers, providing help for the elderly or children, to include housekeeping:
- Cooking,
- Laundry;
- Cleaning;
- General household activities etc.
- Personal care assistants;
- Bathing;
- Feeding;
- Dressing etc.
- Health care assistants;
- Medication management;
- Medical appointments etc.
- Emotional care assistants;
- Companionship;
- Meaningful activities;
- Conversation.
The employer should supply the employee with a contract of employment to include:
- Date of the agreement;
- Name, address and telephone number of the employer;
- Employers registration number (Social Insurance);
- Name of the employee;
- Nationality of the employee;
- Gender of the employee.
The employer is required to deposit a bank guarantee, dependent on the employee’s country of origin and valid for a period of at least 10 years (amount to be advised by Rideo Group at the time of application) as security for travel expenses and possible repatriation of the employee. Bank guarantees may be returned if either of the following situations arise, by submitting the relevant form to the department explaining the reason for requesting a refund:
- The employee does not arrive into Cyprus;
- The employee has left Cyprus;
- The employee has employment with a new employer;
- The employee has been deported for any reason.
The employment of the Domestic worker by the employer must, within the contract of employment, include the following:
- Suitable accommodation;
- Food free of charge;
- Monthly salary;
- 24 days annual leave in addition to all official holidays;
- Industrial accident and health insurance, for hospital and non-hospital treatment;
- The provision for a current bank account in Cyprus:
- To show monthly credits each month;
- To show submission of the account, whenever required to the:
- Civil Registry and Migration Department and/or;
- Immigration Service of the Cyprus Police;
- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.
- Shall not deduct from the employees salary:
- Any fees paid to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for the issue of the employment permit;
- Employees travel expenses to and from the Republic;
- Fees paid to an Employment Agency (if applicable).
- To regularly contribute to the Social Insurance Scheme as per the legislation for the benefit of the employee;
- Pay all contributions which are provided by Cyprus laws;
- Provide sick leave;
- Has the right to terminate the contract of employment of the employee and make arrangements for their repatriation if the employee is absent from work due to illness not attributed to an accident at work for more than 1 month;
- Any contractual disputes as per the laws/regulations to be governed with the employee given the opportunity to state their case;
- Employer may dismiss the employee, giving written notice, if the following situations occur whilst on duty:
- Disobeys, neglects or refuses to carry out or comply with any reasonable requests of the employer;
- Guilty of consuming alcoholic beverages;
- Gambling;
- Unjustified absence;
- Violates the laws of the Republic of Cyprus.
- A breach of any clause within the contract of employment shall automatically trigger termination as well as the validity of the Employment and Residence Permit.
The contract of employment must be duly signed and certified by both the employer and employee with a witness present, Rideo Group will be happy to create the contract on behalf of both parties and undertake the witnessing of the document, we will then send the contract to the relevant departments on your behalf.
Allow Rideo Group to understand your specific requirements by contacting one of our friendly team members for an informal chat, we will be able to explain the process in more detail and how we assist you in locating your perfect employee.
