FAQ

Q: HOW MUCH IS THE SALARY OF A DOMESTIC WORKER?

A: The minimum gross salary is € 460 and the minimum net salary is € 309. (When calculating the net salary, setting all other cuts aside, a cut of 25% is calculated in for housing and feeding purposes, only if the domestic worker is residing at the employer's residence).

Q: IS THE SALARY OF A DOMESTIC WORKER FIXED OR VARIABLE?

A: The salary of domestic workers is not fixed. It differs according to the country of origin of each domestic worker and the given agreement between the countries. Therefore you should consult us.

Q: WHICH IS THE DOMESTIC WORKERS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN?

A: The countries we work with are: Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Vietnam etc.

Q: WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED DURATION OF RESIDENCE OF A DOMESTIC WORKER IN CYPRUS?

A: The maximum residence period of a third-country national for the purposes of domestic employment is six years. The renewal of the residency permits’ after the passing of six years is allowed given that the domestic worker will continue to be employed by the same employer. 

Q: WHERE WILL MY DOMESTIC WORKER BE STAYING?

A: According to the Law, there must be a suitable lodging for the housing of the domestic worker. The domestic worker is allowed to stay at the employer's residence if a suitable room is available otherwise they will stay in a different place.

Q: IS AN EMPLOYER ALLOWED TO EMPLOY TWO DOMESTIC WORKERS?

A: An employer is allowed to employ a second domestic worker from a third country if they fall into one of the following categories:

• If they are bedridden
• If they have a taxable income in excess of € 100,000
• If they are a paraplegic or quadriplegic

For all the above cases the employer is required to prove that they have sufficient resources for the employment of a second domestic worker.

Q: DOES TRUST EMPLOYMENT PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR MEN?

A: Trust Employment will always accept applications from both men and women. The likelihood of finding employment for any candidate depends on the demand for a domestic worker and the needs of their prospective employers. Our duty as an employment agency is to match, as best as possible, the prospective employers with the most suitable candidates for them. However, men are usually employed for the care of overweight people.

Q: DO I HAVE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE TO THE DOMESTIC WORKER?

A: Yes, under the Law the employer is required to provide a medical insurance and an employer’s liability insurance to the alien as stipulated by the regulations.

Q: WHICH ARE THE OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS?

A: 1st  January , 6th January, Easter Sunday , Easter Monday, 1st May, 15th August, 1st October, 25th December and 26th December.

Q: HOW MANY DAYS OF LEAVE IS A DOMESTIC WORKER ALLOWED TO HAVE?

A: A domestic worker is entitled to 24 working days of leave.

Q: CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO THE STANDARD DOMESTIC HELPER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT?

A: Domestic helpers must only be employed under the standard employment contract provided by Cyprus law. Therefore, you don’t need to personally create a contract, as this will not be recognized as legitimate for this purpose.

You need to know that it is illegal for domestic helpers to find part-time work outside of the home address written on the contract.

Q: DO DOMESTIC WORKERS UNDERGO MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS?

A: Domestic workers undergo a double medical examination, before and after their arrival in Cyprus, as stipulated by the Law to certify that that they are not suffering from any contagious disease, such as AIDS, syphilis, Hepatitis etc.

 Q: WHAT IS THE FEE FOR FINDING AND EMPLOYING A DOMESTIC WORKER?

A: We provide quality services at affordable rates which include VAT. Consult us regarding our packages.

Q: DOES TRUST EMPLOYMENT PROVIDE TRAINING SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS?

A: We make sure, through the close cooperation with our collaborators, that the domestic workers are properly prepared for and trained reaching a desired level.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT?

A: Upon the mutual agreement between the domestic worker and the employer, the employment contract may be terminated and the release document completed and signed jointly in the presence of witnesses. The reciprocal termination of the contract and the completion of the release may be made at any time between such parties. 

The release document allows the domestic worker to look for work for a period of one month. During that one month period, the domestic worker can live and work in the home of the previous employer, unless this is impossible due to serious misconduct (labour disputes, sexual harassment, etc.). In this case, the alien will have to inform the Aliens and Immigration Unit of their District for their temporary address. 

The employer may employ another domestic worker when:

• One month of release of the release document has elapsed and the domestic worker has not settled otherwise on their stay. In order to inform the employer if the alien has settled differently on their stay, they must refer to the District Unit of the Aliens and Immigration Unit (and for Nicosia also to the District Unit of the Aliens and Immigration Unit) by submitting the release document. It then makes a complaint and will be forwarded to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
• If the domestic worker has made other arrangements for their stay within the term of the release document.
• If the alien has left Cyprus.

It is emphasized that an employer cannot proceed to a mutual solution of a contract with more than two domestic workers over a period of 3 years.

Q: IN WHICH CASES IS THE BANK GUARANTEE RETURNED?

A: The bank guarantee is returned only if the employee departs for his / her country or in case when he/she is employed by a new eligible employer, in which case the new employer is obliged to deposit a bank guarantee. It is emphasized that the bank guarantee is not returned in the following cases:

1. if the foreign worker has become illegal as a result of the cancellation of their residence permit; or
2. if the foreign worker has submitted an application for asylum; or
3. if the foreign worker was convicted for a criminal offense and is considered a forbidden immigrant; or
4. if the foreign worker has abandoned their place of residence and employment and they are wanted for deportation purposes.

Q: WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR CHANGING EMPLOYERS?

A: A domestic worker may change employer two times during their six years of employment. No change of employer is considered if the employer has died, migrated, moved to a nursing home or committed a criminal offense against the alien or if the change is after a decision of the Complaints Committee for the alien. 

It is emphasized that after the completion of six years, an employer change is not allowed.  Changing an employer while a labour dispute is pending is only allowed following the corresponding approval of the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

In order to apply for employment with a new employer, the domestic worker must have in their possession the release document that they have signed with their previous employer, which should be in force. The new employer should of course fall into one of the categories of employers that are allowed to employ a domestic worker.

Q: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY (FOR FAMILY REASONS OR HOLIDAY) FOR WHICH MY DOMESTIC WORKER NEEDS TO RETURN TO HER HOME COUNTRY, DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE AIRLINE TICKETS?

A: No. The employer is not obligated to pay for any other airline tickets other than those stipulated in the domestic worker’s contract of employment (for the domestic worker’s arrival in Cyprus and for her repatriation). However, it is up to the employer whether they will choose to cover these costs or not.

References: Civil Registry and Migration Department Website