At 75% - 80% occupancy in the recreation centers during the three days

According to OSIKA, the occupancies in leisure centers throughout Cyprus ranged from 75% to 80% during the three days of the Flood.

In statements to KYPE, the President of the Federation of Owners Associations of Leisure Centers (OSIKA), Neophytos Thrasyvoulou, said that coastal cities as well as mountain resorts had "their due". Leisure centers in Nicosia showed less traffic.

Mr. Thrasyvoulos noted that the weather was not helpful, however the guests were fully served.

He expressed the opinion that the three-day event is a good start for June, but also for the start of the summer season. Mr. Thrasyvoulos wished that these occupancies would continue until the end of the year.

Problems finding staff

Mr. Thrasyvoulos also referred to the problems faced by the food industry in finding staff. Already, he said, they had a meeting with the Minister of Labor to whom the Federation expressed its concerns about the workforce.

The priority issue, he continued, is with the students but also with the political asylum seekers. Regarding the issue of applicants, he explained that there are applicants who have been granted work permits in Cyprus since 2019 during the pandemic.

Today, it seems, he said, some of them reject their applications, and businessmen enter the process of training new applicants for political asylum. He said that any occupation in the food industry branch requires specialization for about one to one and a half years.

He added that the change of employees is a bad development both for the economy and for businesses.

He also called on the Ministers of Labor and Interior to find a regulation for asylum seekers who continue to work in Cyprus and are registered in the social insurance funds and are employed and to extend their work for another six months, until the end of the tourist season.

Source: KYPE