According to Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), Cyprus policies are placed in 2nd from the last of all 31 MIPEX Countries, evidently discouraging long-term migration and integration of TCN’s. The relevant legal framework and migration policy provide unfavourable conditions for migrant workers, and for their long-term integration in the labour market. Not only do they have limited access to and participation in democratic public life, but it is also worth pointing out that Cyprus’ policies on family reunification are rated closer to countries far outside the scope of EU law.
Furthermore, Cyprus sets nearly unfavourable legal conditions for labour market mobility by scoring an absolute zero on access. Adding to the above, the public sector is completely dominated by Cypriot citizens and non-EU migrant workers cannot access public employment services. What is more surprising though, is the fact that migrant workers have the least favourable rights of all 31 MIPEX countries, with Cyprus alone denying them both equal working conditions and social security. It is worth stressing that even as taxpayers, they cannot claim unemployment benefits or public allowances, and once they are unemployed they no longer have a permit to stay in Cyprus.
The MIPEX results only confirm what has been repeatedly reported in previous Shadow Reports about the impossibility for migrants to integrate in the Cypriot society due to the migration policy followed in the Country since the beginning of the 1990’s...
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