Romanians working in Cyprus for the last few years say withouthigher education they do not have any chances of earning more than1,500 RON (375 euros) in Romania, but can make up to 1,000 euros inCypriot restaurants, hotels, and construction firms.
"I have been working in Larnaca (a city on the southern coast ofCyprus i.e.) for almost eight years now, during which I managed tolearn Greek. I left Ploiesti, where I was working as a tailor. Ichose to come and work here after I found out from a friend thattailors were in demand in Larnaca. I came here because I had justdivorced my husband and leaving the country was a chance for me tostart over," recounts Mariana N., 39, from Ploiesti. The Romanianworks two jobs in Larnaca, a major travel destination in theMediterranean area, and the third-largest city in Cyprus, afterNicosia and Limassol, with a population of 80,400 inhabitants, mostof whom are Greek and Turks.
"On weekends I work as a waitress at The Varelli Tavern, where Iearn 5 euros an hour," she says. Although she makes between 800 and1,000 euros a month, Mariana earns the minimum wage in Cyprus, theonly European country whose GDP per capita rose last year, to22,033 euros, compared with almost 5,400 euros in Romania,according to Eurostat data and ZF calculations.
Larnaca is a tourist resort, with 25 hotels and 22 extended stayhotels, which can accommodate 6,000, as well as with manyrestaurants. Around 4,000 - 5,000 Romanians work in Larnaca,according to officials of the city's tourist office.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
