EMPLOYMENT

[kerry2511]

We are relocating to Cyprus and wondered if anyone had any advice on employment. My husband is a qualified painter and decorator and I have run my own Commercial cleaning business in the UK with over 40 staff for the last 15 years so experienced in sales and customer service to name just a few things.
Any advice greatly appreciated email kerry@cleanontime.co.uk
Thank you

Kerry

[cyprusishome]

If you are not Cypriot the chances of finding work in North Cyprus are extremely slim to not at all.

Starting your own business is fraught with bureaucratic nightmare and large start up costs and unless you work in a scarce employment area you will not get a work permit.

Unless you have a large bank balance and prepared to either retire or work in black economy try seeking an alternative location, North Cyprus is not for you.

[karakum5c]

a large number of people own property here but need it looked after and maintained as they only visit from their EU countries a few times a year.

this should be your market, property maintenance

people here are desperate for people they can TRUST to do a good job for them

[Marions]

Message 2 still applies. There are several maintenance agents already, and maybe you could get a job with them. work permit needed, or doownbusiness, but a chink of light on the employment horizon is that there is a rumour that someone is starting up an agency for general work. recently one was started for entertainers. If this comes about you can register with them, paying them commisssion, national insurance and tax, but be warned, the rates are not that high and if you have to pay rent you could find you are struggling. But if you want a laid back lifestyle in the sun, then sometimes the struggle does not matter.

[kerry2511]

WE DO HAVE AN INCOME FROM THE UK BUT WOULD WANT TO WORK FOR OUR OWN PEACE OF MIND

[cyprusishome]

karakumc5
All very well but foreigners are not allowed to work without either work permit or fork out a fortune to register your own company.

So kerry,for peace of mind you need to come over and visit before you relocate, you will then find out for yourself first hand. We do not make statements lightly here and after my own 7 years living here I am so glad we do not need to work.

[zarafet]

Have to agree with Cyprusishome. Work permits are not forthcoming here. Also there are painters, decorators and builders (or so called) both legal and illegal everywhere. Have you been here before and looked into what it is actually like to live here? Teenagers are quite likely to get very bored here as well, as there is nothing much for them to do. A lot of people are leaving here to live in Turkey, due to the fact it is cheaper there and with no embargoes it is easier to live. There is no real shopping here, or McDonalds, KFC, anything else much and what we have is expensive. It is ok if you are retired and have no need of an income but otherwise I would think very, very carefully and investigate fully before coming with children. Sorry to be pessimistic but it is better to know how things are before you come rather than get trapped here like so many others.

[kerry2511]

Thank you for your help

[Marions]

I think you will find very divided opinions on life here and how one can fit into it. Some folk would not live anywhere else, even though their income is an overstretched piece of elastic, and there are those who find they can't hack it and can't wait to get out. To discover what category you are, you really DO need to come and investigate. meet a lot of people, assess the situation for yourself, and don't be persuaded by either negative or over positive thoughts of others.

[kbasat]

I dont know why some people is very pessimistic here.

Good jobs are hard to come by anywhere in the world right now, however, if you are competitive there is work and money everywhere.

Dont be put off by some people's comments who has never worked or looked for any work here in Cyprus.

My company has created approx 30 new jobs over the past 18 months, and there are many new and growing businesses out there.

Just my 2 cents.

K.

[PapaBravo]

I cannot comment on working here, but love the weather and lifestyle. Personally I do not find it too expensive to live here; some things cost more and some less - council tax is about £70 per year. Some things are difficult to find in the shops, but it is getting better, and you can get most essentials. We love it.

[libby]

In my experience...work permits are not hard to come by!
But are you prepared to work the long hours - for so much less than the UK
If you can handle that - email me
libbymain90@gmail.com
i may have some interesting options .......................

[Halffull]

I am retired and love living here, I have been asked to do work in my field but only the odd here and there bit not permanent employment (which I don't want anyway)who wants to have to work 7 hours a day in July and August!!
My two neighbours are Turkish and both ladies have been looking for work and haven't found any jobs, both are experienced in office work

[bubbles]

hi kerry

the posts are right from everybody. it is difficult to find work here.

i am 30 years old and been here for 4 years now and worked at 2 places with work permits and i found it hard to find an employer that would help me and pay for my work permit etc as its their responsibility to sort this if they want you working for them.

also here is northern cyprus alot of work is down. and business closing because they are struggling to get the customers and in the winter its very quiet also which is another struggle.

they will always give job opportunity to the local cypriots here first then maybe the the turkish and inless we know the language as a second it would bennefit us better to find. but alot of loacals here can speak the english as part of their job for the tourists anyway.

if you do find work yes its longer hours and little money. but you cant compare to uk.
my husband he is cypriot and he works too long hours 11-12 delivery driving everyday. so we would get treated the exact same i would think. even if you found bar work which alot of brits do but agin need work permits but an easier option to find ..if you find. and long hours and little money again.

i hope you find your works and wish you you best of look to both of you.
but if you have not visited north cyprus or dont have any idea about the work side would be prob good to venture on holiday first before relocating.

all the best and good luck

[kerry2511]

Thank you everyone for your replies we do have an income from the UK so work would be to keep us busy more than anything
Thanks again
Kerry