Romanians working in Cyprus for the last few years say without higher education they do not have any chances of earning more than 1,500 RON (375 euros) in Romania, but can make up to 1,000 euros in Cypriot restaurants, hotels, and construction firms.
"I have been working in Larnaca (a city on the southern coast of Cyprus i.e.) for almost eight years now, during which I managed to learn Greek. I left Ploiesti, where I was working as a tailor. I chose to come and work here after I found out from a friend that tailors were in demand in Larnaca. I came here because I had just divorced my husband and leaving the country was a chance for me to start over," recounts Mariana N., 39, from Ploiesti. The Romanian works two jobs in Larnaca, a major travel destination in the Mediterranean area, and the third-largest city in Cyprus, after Nicosia and Limassol, with a population of 80,400 inhabitants, most of whom are Greek and Turks.
"On weekends I work as a waitress at The Varelli Tavern, where I earn 5 euros an hour," she says. Although she makes between 800 and 1,000 euros a month, Mariana earns the minimum wage in Cyprus, the only European country whose GDP per capita rose last year, to 22,033 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 stay hotels, which can accommodate 6,000, as well as with many restaurants. Around 4,000 - 5,000 Romanians work in Larnaca, according to officials of the city's tourist office.
Romanians working in Cyprus for the last few years say without higher education they do not have any chances of earning more than 1,500 RON (375 euros) in Romania, but can make up to 1,000 euros in Cypriot restaurants, hotels, and construction firms.
"I have been working in Larnaca (a city on the southern coast of Cyprus
