Renovations in Cyprus are waiting for workers. It can take up to eight months to find the right staff.

Renovations in Cyprus are losing out to large investments in the competition for workers. According to contractors, finding the necessary staff can take six to eight months. Shortages also hinder repairs to buildings that pose a safety risk.

However, it's not just about the availability of specialists. Older buildings face challenges with obtaining co-owner consent, financing, and procedures. Changes are being discussed in parliament to make it easier for authorities to intervene when owners fail to take the required action.

Renovations in Cyprus compete with large construction projects

The president of the federation of construction contractors' associations OSEOK, Stelios Gavriel, estimates that it may take several years from recognizing staffing needs to finding employees. six–eight months.

This isn't a universal waiting time for every renovation. It refers to the time it takes for companies to recruit staff.

Construction remains active as projects approved in previous years enter the implementation phase. They require workers alongside new projects and renovations to existing facilities.

The shortages affect many specialties, including steel fixers, formwork carpenters, and aluminum joinery fitters. According to Gavriel, the situation is exacerbated by the return of some Syrian workers to the country and the departure of people from other European countries.

Why do contractors choose larger orders?

A major construction project or a minor repair may require the involvement of a construction manager, supervisor, or engineer. However, on a larger project, the same staff can organize work with a much broader scope.

With limited staff, companies are more likely to opt for large investments, making smaller orders more difficult to fill.

This is particularly important for buildings requiring protection. The necessary work doesn't always mean a comprehensive renovation—sometimes it involves specific repairs to the existing structure.

An unsafe building is also an organizational problem

Andreas Theodotou, Secretary General of the Cyprus Chamber of Science and Technology ETEK, highlights the difficulties involved in repairing multi-owner buildings.

Agreeing on the work and how to pay for it can be complicated. Furthermore, renovations may uncover damage that wasn't previously accounted for. This means additional work and higher costs.

Upon receiving a notification of a building's unsafe condition, owners must organize the necessary actions, secure an engineer, and find a contractor. A lack of available labor adds another hurdle to this process.

Michalis Antoniou, director general of the OEB employers' federation, takes a different approach. He believes that the most important barriers often arise even before the search for a team begins: owner consent, funding, and formalities.

Once these procedures are completed, the industry can prioritize urgent repairs if the protection of human life requires it, he said.

Greater powers to intervene

The Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee is discussing changes to buildings that pose a security risk.

According to an ETEK representative, strengthening the powers of district self-governing organizations (EOAs) is being considered. This would allow them to more effectively take necessary actions when owners fail to respond.

Theodotou explains that denying access to a building may now require a court order. Among the proposals is the possibility of intervention without the owner's prior consent or a court order, under the conditions set out in the new regulations.

Additional mechanisms for recovering the costs of completed works from owners are also discussed. These are legislative proposals, not information about the entry into force of new powers.

Employers want changes in the employment of foreigners

OSEOK also calls for adapting the rules for employing people from outside the European Union to the actual needs of companies.

According to the federation, the current limits do not adequately address the situation of smaller contractors and subcontractors. The organization calls for changes while maintaining collective agreements and labor law.

It also proposes facilitating the employment of entry-level workers and professionals who would gain experience during training.

The extended OSEOK meeting is scheduled for November 14, and the OEB executive committee is scheduled to meet November 17The organizations intend to establish further actions and priorities for discussions with the government.

For now, as OEB points out, the positive attitude of the authorities towards finding solutions has not yet translated into specific commitments and decisions.