Cyprus builders warn labour shortfall is slowing new housing
Developers say finding construction workers has become expensive and difficult, with permits adding to the problem.
Construction companies on the island are struggling to fill sites, according to Phileleftheros, after many Syrian workers returned to their homeland following the change of government there and some Turkish Cypriots crossed to the north for better-paid jobs.
The Cyprus Property Developers Association recently flagged the shortage as a serious barrier to boosting housing supply, arguing that a project must be completable in reasonable time once licensed, so housing policy cannot be separated from what the industry can deliver.
An attempt to recruit Egyptian workers under a state-to-state deal fell short because, as the paper reports, the terms set were beyond what many small contractors could satisfy.
What it means for residents
Fewer hands on site means slower delivery of new homes, which keeps upward pressure on rents and sale prices. Anyone building or renovating should also budget for higher labour charges and longer waits.
- Rents and prices are unlikely to ease while supply lags behind demand.
- Permits for foreign staff can be revoked after approval, so employers should check terms carefully before work starts.
- Timelines on private building projects may stretch well beyond what was promised.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
