On Tuesday 31/08/2021, a meeting was held in the Headquarter Offices of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce & Industry among delegation of PCCI and the Ambassador of U.S.A in Cyprus Mrs. Judith G.Garber. From the side of PCCI the meeting was attended by the President of the Chamber Mr. George Mais, the Vice Presidents Mr. Charalambos Papantoniou, Mr. Stefanos Stefanou and Mr. Pantelis Evangelou as well as the Honorary Secretary of the Chamber Mr. Zenonas Zenonos and the Director of Paphos Regional Board of Tourism Mr. Nasos Hadjigeorgiou.

The discussion was very productive and focused on the relations between the two countries but also on the prospects that exist for further development and deepening of economic relations.

At the meeting was discussed  the situation prevailing in the local economy and the efforts from PCCI and  the private sector so as to overcome any problems and the negative consequences that caused by the pandemic and manage to continue the positive growth of the province in relation to the implementation of the new projects and the improvement of the infrastructure implemented by the Central State and the Local Authorities.

The USA can certainly play a very serious role in the Cypriot economy but also in issues related to security and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean region , something that will significantly improve the business climate in Cyprus.

The two sides discussed also about Banking sector and the improvements that needs to be done so as to facilitate foreign and local investments and find the ways of cooperation between businesses of the two countries and issues of investment in Cyprus on the part of American companies. Except from the aforementioned, they discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of Tourism, Education, Health, High Technologies and Green Development with emphasis on Renewable energy sources.

PCCI Press Office 31.08.2021

On Thursday 05/08/2021 a meeting was held at Paphos Chamber of Commerce & Industry Offices among the PCCI President and Secretary/ Director Mr. George Mais and Mr. Marinos Stylianoou respectively and the Second Secretary of the High Commission of India in Cyprus Mr. Nandulal Bhookya.

The President of the Chamber, Mr. Mais, discussed in detail with Mr. Bhookya both the deepening of relations between the two countries and the prospects of cooperation between the business community of Paphos and the business community of India, a country with a population of 1,393,409,000 residents.

The President of the Paphos Chamber and Mr. Bhookya stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries in Tourism and investment both in the Hospitality Industry and the Real Estates.

Mr. Mais had the opportunity to discuss with the Second Secretary of the High Commission of India in Cyprus issues of strengthening the business and trade relations of the two sides. More emphasis was given to importing/ exporting commodities especially in the field of pharmaceutical goods, fertilizers, steel, and other products. The need for employment of technical and skilled personnel from India was extensively discussed. The two sides analyzed ways to attract tourists from India to Cyprus and Paphos in particular.

According to data from PCCI, economic relations between the two countries show a positive image with good prospects for the future. There is stability between the two states in the field of trade in goods and in services. “The investment sector is what we aspire to stimulate, strengthening the already encouraging data that have been recorded," said Mr. Stylianou Marinos.

Finally, it was decided to take place as soon as possible online meeting between members of PCCI and Indian Companies in an effort to find new forms of cooperation between the two communities and further development of existing ones.

Mr. Bhookya informed us that because of the 75^th anniversary of Independence of India that is on 15/08/2021, High Commission of India is organizing a series of cultural events in all cities of Cyprus, including Paphos.

 

PCCI Press Release 05/08/2021

On Monday 31/05/2021, a meeting was held in the Headquarter Offices of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce & Industry among delegation of PCCI and H.E the Ambassador of France in Cyprus Salina Grenet-Catalano. From the side of PCCI the meeting was attended by the President of the Chamber  Mr. Mais Georgios, the Vice-Presidents of the Chamber Mr. Papantoniou Charalambos, Mr. Stephanou Stephanos, Mr.Evangelou Pantelis, Mr. Chrysanthou Chrysis and the Secretary/ Director of the Chamber Mr. Stylianou Marinos.

The President of the Chamber, Mr. Mais extensively discussed with Mrs. Salina Grenet-Catalano both in deepening the existing excellent relations between the two countries and for the prospects of cooperation between the business Paphos community and the business community of France, a country with a population of 65 million but also with great influence in the various International Organizations as well as with a leading role in the European Union.

The President of PCCI expressed his desire to the Ambassador to increase the presence of French Companies in Paphos and Cyprus in general .Except from the aforementioned, they discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of  theme Tourism, Education, New Technologies & Innovation and general policy regarding the New Strategy for Tourism creating an identity, 'branding'. Mr. Mais had the opportunity to discuss with Ms Grenet for aid matters of business and trade relations between the two sides and to find ways to attract tourists from France with the first and best to establish more air routes with direct flights from France to Cyprus and Paphos in particular. Moreover, according to data from PCCI in 2018 36.5 0 0 French visitors arrived in Cyprus , while in 2019 the number of French visitors decreased to 31,114 .

The Ambassador Mrs Catalano discussing with the Director of the Chamber as well as attendees Vice-Presidents of PCCI stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries on issues of Capital Investment, Education, Renewable Resource Energy , Culture relying on our long history and brilliant archaeological wealth as well as for investments in Medical field. The Ambassador showed great interest in such partnerships and made special mention of the great archaeological places  that can attract a large number of visitors. Agrotourism, is a sector with potential due to Paphos countryside that we should promote accordingly.

At the end of the meeting , the two sides hinted that Paphos has all the necessary components needed to attract such investments and agreed for further contacts.

 

PCCI Press Release | 31/05/2021

The President, the Board of Directors, the Secretary / Director and the staff of Pafos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) hope that soon we will overcome the pandemic of corona virus and return to our daily lives and wish you warm wishes for Health & Happy Easter !

 

PRESS OFFICE PCCI | 27/04/2021

The Paphos Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Electi Academy are co-organising an introductory webinar free of charge on blockchain technologies and their impact on business.

The Harvard Business Review reported a few years back that “The technology most likely to change the next decade of business is not the social web, big data, the cloud, robotics, or even artificial intelligence. It’s the blockchain…”. Since then, the work performed and funds invested in blockchain and decentralized ledger technologies have ‘exploded’ with at least 2 Billion $ invested in the sector so far.

Furthermore, the Cyprus government has already published a national strategy on blockchain (https://bit.ly/39aMBzL) and is actively working on drafting a legal framework governing such technologies that will allow companies and organizations to enter and meaningfully participate in the Blockchain market.
In this short introductory session we discuss what Blockchain technology is, its properties and limitations as well as several use cases in financial services, the legal sector, real estate sector, shipping etc. emphasizing the great potential blockchain holds in unlocking value for business.

• Introduction to Blockchain technology
• Properties, Challenges and Limitations
• Use Cases: Financial Services, Payments, Financing new ventures, Shipping, Crowdfunding, Supply chain
• National Blockchain Strategies and the case of Cyprus

The presentation will be followed by a 15-minute session for Q&A.

Price: Free | Date: 6th April, 2021 | Time: 10:00 am | Venue: Online

You're invited to join a Microsoft Teams meeting | Join on your computer or mobile app | Click here to join the meeting

Short_Bio_Theo_Mourouzis

 

PCCI PRESS OFFICE

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF PAFOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

ISSUE: - ELECTORAL ASSEMBLY FRIDAY 17^th JULY, 2020

MEMBER VOTE | PAYMENT OF DUE AMOUNTS to PCCI

Dear Members,

We would like to inform you that at the Electoral Assembly of the Paphos Chamber that will take place on Friday, July 17, 2020 at 5.00 p.m in the Offices of the PCCI the members of the Paphos Chamber will have the right to vote, which by July 12, 2020 will have already paid any amount that is immediately required (including all Subscriptions and in 2020 as well as other financial obligations) by this member on the part of the Chamber of Paphos and meaning that at the date of the voting it has already completed at least six (6) months as a member of the Chamber. (paragraph 22 of the Articles of Association of PCCI).

It is noted that after July 12, any payment for voting rights purposes will not be accepted.

We urge our members to proceed immediately with the payment of subscriptions and other financial issues in the following ways:

• At the Accounting Office at Paphos Chamber during its opening hours

| Monday - Tuesday and Thursday (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

| Wednesday and Friday (8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) or

• Through Bank Transfer - online-banking

           IBAN No. CY 96 0020 0660 0000 0011 0287 2200 or  

• Through Jcc Smart https://www.jccsmart.com/e-bill/32742017  

 

At the same time, we would like to clarify that during the secret ballot:

• The vote of natural persons is given only in person.
• The vote of a member company (legal entity) is given by an official of the company (Director or Secretary), which the Company notifies to the Chamber in writing 120 hours before the Electoral Assembly that will take place on Friday 17.07.2020 at 5.00 pm. (ie 5 days ago, ie Monday 13 July 2020) with

1. the presentation of a power of attorney form of PCCI
2. by sending it via email to info@pcci.org.cy
3. either via fax / Fax at 26 944602

It is pointed out that the Company's Officials are the Directors and the Secretary who appear officially in the Certificate of Directors and Secretary of the Department of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver. Please send from today until 13.07.2020 to the Chamber the last valid Certificate of Directors and Secretary of the Company.

The information is provided for the purposes of proper and timely planning, full transparency, and respect for the members of the Chamber but also to avoid misunderstandings.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation and we remain at your disposal for any clarifications.

Yours sincerely,

For the Board of Directors of PCCI

 

Marinos Stylianou

Secretary/ Director

The President, the Board of Directors, the Secretary / Director and the staff of Pafos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) hope that soon we will overcome the pandemic of corona virus and return to our daily lives and wish you warm wishes for

Health & Happy Easter !

In addition, the Secretariat of  Pafos Chamber informs its members and any interested party that the Chamber of Pafos during the days of Easter, the Offices  will remain closed tomorrow Friday | Monday & Tuesday. Offices will operate normally until 2-00 p.m from Wednesday, April 22nd.

Pafos Chamber of Commerce & Industry informs its members / companies as well as any interested party about the terms and conditions for incorporation of companies in the Special Plan for the Full & Partial Suspension of the Operations of the Company. The following are the terms and conditions of the two Special Projects.

SUSPENSION PLAN FOR BUSINESSES AND UNEMPLOYMENT SUBSIDIES FOR EMPLOYEES

• Apply only for the Companies that mandatory fully suspended their operations in accordance with the decrees of Cyprus Government (for more information: pio.gov.cy/coronavirus).
• For companies who employed up to 9 employees the unemployment subsidies will be available to all employees, including Directors.
• For companies who employed more than 9 employees the unemployment subsidies will cover the 90% of the number of employees. The remaining 10% who will not be able to claim the unemployment subsidies, includes first the directors shareholders, or shareholders holding more than 20% of the shares, general managers and executives who earn salary from the Company. To calculate the number of employees that make up 90% of all employees, the result of the mathematical operation is rounded to the nearest whole number.
• For the period for which the unemployment subsidies will be paid, the employer is exempt from the obligation to pay the wages and salaries to his employees who received the allowance as well as to pay the corresponding social security contributions.
• The basic requirement in order to be able to participate in the above scheme is that the employer did not to fire any employee from 01^st March 2020 and if the application is approved, any employee should not be dismissed both for the period of business participation in the Plan and for an additional period equal to the period of participation in the Plan, plus one extra month (except for reasons justified without notice).
• The Company’s Special Suspension Plan is valid from 16.03.2020 to 12.04.2020, taking into account the dates of the Decrees of the Minister of Health or the decisions of the council of ministers on the compulsory full suspension of work and may have an earlier date of 16^th March if the mandatory suspension decision was taken before 16^th
• Employees who before this decision were included in any other Suspension Plan (Such as Hotels and Catering Services) may, upon completion of the suspension period, be included in this plan.
• In order to be able to participate in the scheme an electronic application (EEA.3 Form) must be submitted on coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy by a person who commits the business in accordance with the relevant law. In this form the employer must mention the employees who will participate in the scheme.
• The Unemployment subsidy is payable to the employees only if the employees submit the EEA.6 form “Declaration of Bank accounts details”. The relevant form can be found at coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy.
• The special unemployment subsidy for employees is calculated as follows :
  • For employees who qualify for unemployment benefit under the Social Security Act, at the 60% of the value of insurance units in accordance with the above law.
  • For employees who are not eligible under the Social Security Act and are insured with the Social Security Fund in January 2020, the January 2020 salary (insured earnings) or the last paid salary will be taken in to account for which there are evidence in the register of Social Security Services and a Special Unemployment Allowance will be paid subject to conditions, the amount of which will be determine by a subsequent Decision.
  • The maximum amount that can be paid as a Special Unemployment Allowance for a period of one month cannot exceed €1,214.
  • The special Unemployment Allowance is not provided for any period during which the employee receives other unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, special sickness benefit, special leave allowance or other similar benefits from the Social Security Fund.

PARTIAL SUSPENSION PLAN FOR BUSINESSES AND UNEMPLOYMENT SUBSIDIES FOR EMPLOYEES

• Apply to businesses that have not mandatorily terminated their operations under the Decrees of Cyprus Government (for more information: pio.gov.cy/coronavirus), but they suffer 25% reduction in turnover in March 2020 and anticipate a corresponding reduction in the month of April 2020 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. If the Company did not operate in the previous year then the comparison will be made with the months preceding March 2020.
• The following enterprises are excluded from the scheme: Supermarkets, Any businesses that supplies food, Businesses that are trading fruits, vegetables, meats and fish, Satellite and other telecommunications services, Power generation, Waste collection and management, Financial and insurance activities, including licensed banking institutions, Veterinary Activities, Doctors (excluding Dentists), Hospital Activities, Nursing Homes, Production of pharmaceutical preparations, Wholesale of Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacies, Trade in medical and orthopedic supplies.
• The scheme applies to all employees for businesses employing up to 2 people (including directors), up to 75% of the company’s employees for companies employing up to 50 employees and up to 60% for companies employing more than 50 employees.
• The remaining 25% and 40% respectively who will not be able to claim the unemployment subsidies, includes first the directors shareholders, or shareholders holding more than 20% of the shares, general managers and executives who earn salary from the Company. To calculate the number of employees that make up 75% and 60% of all employees, the result of the mathematical operation is rounded to the nearest whole number.
• For the period for which the unemployment subsidies will be paid, the employer is exempt from the obligation to pay the wages and salaries to his employees who received the allowance as well as to pay the corresponding social security contributions.
• For companies who will join the scheme of the Partial Suspension Plan, the employer has the option of employing the staff who will receive a Special Unemployment Benefit. The employer will have the obligation to pay to the relevant staff the balance of their salary (the portion of salary not covered by the scheme) and the corresponding contributions to Social Funds. The portion of the salary may be differentiated if the employee consents to his / her working hours.
• The employees, who will be part of the scheme and receive the Special Unemployment Benefit, may continue to work, provided they agree to do so. The balance of their salary (the portion of salary not covered by the scheme) should be paid by the Employer based on the hours worked. The portion of the salary may be differentiated if the employee consents to his / her working hours.
• The basic requirement in order to be able to participate in the above scheme is that the employer did not fire any employee from 01^st March 2020 and if the application is approved, any employee should not be dismissed both for the period of business participation in the Plan and for an additional period equal to the period of participation in the Plan, plus one extra month (except for reasons justified without notice).
• The Company’s Special Suspension Plan is valid from 16.03.2020 to 12.04.2020.
• In order to be able to participate in the scheme an electronic application (EEA.4 Form) must be submitted on coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy by a person who commits the business in accordance with the relevant law. In this form the employer must mention the employees who will participate in the scheme.
• The Unemployment subsidy is payable to the employees only if the employees submit the EEA.6 form “Declaration of Bank accounts details”. The relevant form can be found at coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy.
• The special unemployment subsidy for employees is calculated as follows :

• • For employees who qualify for unemployment benefit under the Social Security Act, at the 60% of the value of insurance units in accordance with the above law.
  • For employees who are not eligible under the Social Security Act and are insured with the Social Security Fund in January 2020, the January 2020 salary (insured earnings) or the last paid salary will be taken in to account for which there are evidence in the register of Social Security Services and a Special Unemployment Allowance will be paid subject to conditions, the amount of which will be determine by a subsequent Decision.
  • The maximum amount that can be paid as a Special Unemployment Allowance for a period of one month cannot exceed €1,214.
  • The special Unemployment Allowance is not provided for any period during which the employee receives other unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, special sickness benefit, special leave allowance or other similar benefits from the Social Security Fund.

Press & Information Office | PCCI

The Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry informs its members / companies and all interested parties that the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance (mlsi) has announced the operation of a special website where interested parties can find all forms regarding its support measures of the Ministry. More specifically:

Special Child Care License

➢ Valid from 16/3/2020 to 12/4/2020 for:

• Working parents who have responsibility for the care of children up to 15 years of age or children with disabilities, regardless of age and the nature of their work.

They cannot work either remotely or at home or flexibly and if there is no home help.

➢The application is only submitted by employees who are insured with the Social Insurance Fund  in January 2020 and have last monthly gross salary up to € 2500

➢ The period of  issue of the Special Care Permit for Child Care may not exceed4 weeks total for both parents.

➢ If one parent receives Special Child Care Permit, the other cannot receive for the same period.

➢ If one parent works and the other does not (either because he or she receives an unemployment benefit or a special unemployment benefit or disease benefit or special disease benefit either because it is unemployed or for similar reasons), the working parent is not entitled to Special Child Care Leave for that period, unless the parent does working has himself or herself been infected with COVID 19 or is hospitalized or a person with or is a person with a compulsory limitation.

➢ To qualify for a childcare allowance you need to ensure the consent of the employer.

➢ For parents of people with disabilities, Special Child Care Permit is granted if no care allowance is granted to these persons by the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security

• Special Child Care Special Leave Allowance is not granted for a period for which

the applicant receives an unemployment benefit, a special unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, special sickness allowance.

How the Child Care Special Leave allowance is calculated, provided they are met all terms and conditions:

➢ Based on January 2020 salary or if there is no data for the last salary 2020, based on the last salary for which there is evidence within the last 9 months in the register of Social Insurance Services:

• For the first € 1,000 of monthly salary, a 60% allowance is calculated for

this part of the salary and for the part of the salary from € 1,000 to € 2,000

a 40% allowance is calculated. The maximum amount of allowance for a period of one per month may not exceed € 1,000.

• For single parent families the above rates increase to 70% and 50%

respectively and the maximum amount of allowance for a period of one month cannot

exceeds  € 1,200.

• Cases of single parent families exceeding the last monthly salary

The € 2,500 will be examined based on the particular features of each case.

• The allowance will be calculated in proportion to the days for which becomes the applicant / beneficiary.

➢ For the period for which the Special Care Leave allowance will be paid Children, the employer is exempt from the obligation to pay wages to his employees who received this allowance.

➢ The period of the Special Child Care Leave will be considered as a simulation period insurance for contributions to the Social Insurance Fund and will be credited depending on the beneficiary's insurance account.

Please find more information and the applications at www.coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy.

Special Sickness Allowance

Valid until 12/4/2020 for private employees or self-employed persons who fall into any of the following categories:

• Persons on the list of vulnerable groups, as defined from the Ministry of Health in the press release dated 16/3/2020 or any future revision of it and hold a certificate from him their personal physician (only if the nature of the work does not permit teleworking or work from home or flexible working hours).
• Persons subject to compulsory restraint (quarantine) and self-limitation regime (only if the nature of the work does not allow teleworking or work from home or flexible working hours) based on instructions Department of Health and Medical Holding Certificate, issued by Ministry of Health, or as directed by Ministry of Health staff doctor,
• Persons who are infected with COVID 19 and hold a certificate from the Ministry of Health,
• Persons aged 63-65 years who do not receive a statutory pension, which fall into categories (i), (ii) and (iii) above and hold corresponding certificate.

➢Special Sickness Allowance is granted only to persons who work during period for which they apply for the sick leave and are insured at  Social Security Fund, are up to 65 years old and do not receive statutory pension.

How is the sickness benefit calculated provided all conditions are met and prerequisites:

➢ For self-employed persons and self-employed persons for whom the insurance requirements under the Social Security Act, at 60% of value of insurance units in accordance with the above Law.

➢ For self-employed persons who are not eligible for insurance the Social Security Act and they are insured in the Social Fund Insurance in January 2020 will be paid Special Sickness Allowance under conditions, the amount of which will be determined by a subsequent Decision.

➢ For a self-employed person for whom insurance is not covered conditions will amount to 60% of the weekly amount of policyholders his earnings based on the income for which the fourth quarter of 2019 had obligation to pay contributions to the Social Security Fund.

➢ The maximum amount that can be paid as a special sickness benefit for employees of the private sector and for self-employed for a period of one month can not exceeds € 1,214.

➢Special Sickness Allowance is not granted for the period for which the applicant receives Unemployment Allowance, Special Unemployment Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Special Leave Allowance for Child Care.

➢ The period for which the Sickness Allowance is granted will be taken into account for the calculation and provision of the sickness allowance provided for by the provisions of the Social Security Laws.

➢ For the period for which the sickness benefit will be paid, the employer is exempt from his obligation to pay the salary to his employees who received this Special Sickness Allowance.

➢ The period of the Special sickness allowance will be considered as a simulated period insurance for contributions to the Social Insurance Fund and will be credited depending on the beneficiary's insurance account.

Please find more information and the applications at www.coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy.

SUBSIDY SCHEME FOR SELF – EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS

• This scheme applies only for self-employed individuals who have completely suspended their operations under the decrees of Cyprus Government (information: pio.gov.cy/coronavirus) or have not fully suspended their work but have a 25% reduction in turnover in March 2020 and foresee a corresponding decrease in April 2020 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. If the Company did not operate in the previous year then the comparison will be made with months preceding March 2020.
• The following professions are excluded from the scheme: Pharmacologists, microbiologists and similar Doctors (Dentists are not included), Veterinarians, Pharmacists, Medical Device and equipment operators, Insurers, Insurance agents, kiosks, grocers, mini marketers and diary manufacturers.
• Self-employed individuals will also submit the application for full or partial suspension plan for their employees.
• For the period for which the special self-employee benefit will be paid, the self-employed individual is exempted from the obligation to pay contributions to the social security services.
• The basic requirement in order to be able to participate in the above scheme is that the self – employed individual did not fire any employee from 01^st March 2020 and if the application is approved, any employee should not be dismissed both for the period of the participation in the Plan and for an additional period equal to the period of participation in the Plan, plus one extra month (except for reasons justified without notice).
• The Special Suspension Plan is valid from 16.03.2020 to 12.04.2020, taking into account the dates of the Decrees of the Minister of Health or the decisions of the council of ministers on the compulsory full suspension of work and may have an earlier date of 16 March if the mandatory suspension decision was taken before 16^th
• In order to be able to participate in the scheme an electronic application (EEA.5 Form) must be submitted on coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy by the self – employed individual.
• The special subsidy is payable to the applicant only if he submit the EEA.6 form “Declaration of Bank accounts details”. The relevant form can be found at coronavirus.mlsi.gov.cy.
• The special benefit paid to beneficiaries is calculated as follows :
  • The weekly allowance will be equal to 60% of the weekly amount of the insurable earnings, under which the beneficiary was required to pay contributions to the social security fund for the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • The minimum amount that can be paid as an allowance is €300 for a four week period and a maximum €900 for a four week period.
  • The special benefit is not provided for any period during which the applicant receives other unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, special sickness benefit, special leave allowance or other similar benefits from the Social Security Fund.

Press & Information Office | PCCI

 

Pafos Chamber is informing its members / businesses as well as any interested parties of the measures announced jointly on Sunday 16 March 2020 by H.E President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Nikos Anastasiadis together with the Ministers of Health, Finance, Labor and Welfare and Social Security. We would like to remind you that the Local Chambers of Commerce have transmitted and assisted in the formulation of the above measures through the Cyprus Chamber and are in constant contact with the Government and the State to take additional action where appropriate.

The "Support Program" includes the following:

AID NETWORK PROTECTION OF WORKERS AND VULNERABLE GROUPS

1. Granting 'Special Leave' to Parents Working in the Private Sector for the Care of Children up to 15 Years of Age (up to Third Grade of High School) due to Suspension of Attendance at Schools, Public and Private, at Nursery and Child Care Centres.

A "special permit", which may last up to 4 weeks at this stage, and which does not include public holidays, will be granted the following allowance:

For a parent with a salary of up to € 2,500: for the first € 1,000 of the parent's salary a 'special leave' allowance of 60% of the salary will be paid and for the subsequent € 1,000 of his / her salary, a 40 % allowance will be paid. It is noted that in the case of single parent families, the rate of payment of the benefit varies between 70% and 50% respectively. 

• The license granted to one of the parents if one parent take the report under license, the other cannot receive the necessary authorization simultaneously. Also, if one parent is working / unemployment benefit / participate in Plan Suspend Operations and the other not, the working parent is not entitled to it, unless the parent who does not work is ill himself with the virus or been hospitalized or disabled person or is a person to compulsory confinement.
• The reference under license to parents to care for children will be granted if the nature of their work does not allow telecommuting or working from home or work flexible hours and if no domestic help. The license granted in consultation with the employer, if a request is submitted.
• This license applies to parents of persons with disabilities (regardless of age), provided that it is reserved for those persons care allowance.
• The period of the special permit will be considered being equal period of insurance.
• For public sector employees who are judged by the relevant ministers that have to go to work, but necessary to stay in the house for the care of children should in consultation with their Supervisor, to make arrangements for replacing them.

[1 month € 20m, potential beneficiaries 50,000 persons]

2. Suspend Operations Plan.

In many businesses has today decided to suspend their work and many businesses will continue to operate and will suffer a decrease in turnover in excess of 25% applies Draft Suspension of business operations in order to avoid redundancies, while the affected workers They will receive unemployment benefits for as long as the company will be suspended operations. 

3. Small Business Support Project, worth € 10m, for businesses that employ up to 5 people Provided that they retain their employees at work and have been reducing their turnover in excess of 25%. The Scheme provides for a grant of 70% of salary for workers. The conditions and safeguards of the plan will be announced in the invitation.

4. Plan worker’s salaries in Evening Programs of the Ministry of Education:

bonus payment, which will equal pay, approximately 5000 persons employed in Afternoon and Evening Programs of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth (Music Schools, Sports Schools, State Education Institutes, Training Centers, optionally Day Schools, Evening and Evening programs Arts and the program "School and Social Integration Actions") and other similar services of the Ministry of Education purchase plans. 

5. Payment "sick pay" on average € 800 per month to:

ι.Workers experiencing particular health problems within the directory that has been prepared by the Ministry of Health, who must be absent from work for health protection purposes and not the worse. Condition the presentation of a certificate from their personal physician.

ιι.compulsory absence cases from work to persons with instructions or ordered by the Authorities (Division 1 [statutory limitation under medical monitoring (quarantine)] and Category 2 [Restrained under telephone surveillance]), provided that restricted workers hold a certificate issued by the Ministry of Health.

iii. Persons beyond the age of 63rd year until the age of 65 year, who do not receive a statutory pension and continue to work and which fall under the Categories and the Ministry of Health, provided that restricted workers hold a certificate issued by the Ministry of Health.

For purposes of enhancing the self-employed, sickness benefit will be paid as and employees, from the fourth day.

[For each 20,000 employees, 16m] 

6. Extension of the time period for submission objections on social insurance for the self-employed for a month until April 30 2020 (ending March 31, 2020)

7. Create mobile teams to serve the elderly and vulnerable, so you can get the goods they need. They will be asked help from Voluntary Organizations and Enterprises to achieve the objective.

Payment of benefits for those benefits will be by simplified and accelerated procedures. 

STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEM

8. Provision for strengthening the health sector with € 100m for combating pandemic if necessary, which will cover, inter alia:

- Employment additional medical, nursing and support staff and for more effective and more direct response to the work they are required to carry.

- Strengthening equipment and logistics

- Strengthening of the Institute of Neurology & Genetics, both in human resources and infrastructure

- Strengthening the Center Ambulance

- Strengthening of the Office 1420

[€ 100m]

9. Failure to pay the additional levy in the GHS which is planned to 31.3.2020 for two months, from employers, employees and the state, to strengthen the health sector in the fight against virus and non-influencing workers' incomes and business. Note that not affected the schedule for implementing the second phase of the GHS. In the event of an increased need for the implementation of the second phase of the GHS will be covered by the state [€ 98 millions]

BUSINESS SUPPORT AND STRENGTHENING OF LIQUIDITY AND ENHANCING INTERNAL CONSUMPTION 

10. Temporary suspension for two months of VAT payment obligation for providing liquidity to businesses. Concerns companies, whose turnover was no higher than € 1 million under the tax returns filed in 2019 and undertakings whose cycle of work decreased more than 25%, without imposing any charges. Note that arrangements will be made so that the debts be paid gradually, until November 11th 2020. It concerns businesses

This measure will result in strengthening of liquidity in the period in which it is expected to face a liquidity problem.

11. A temporary reduction of VAT from 19% to 17% for a period of two months and from 9% to 7% for a period of three and a half months, immediately after the enactment of legislation to strengthen the purchasing power of citizens and stimulate consumption.

12. For the duration of the emergency facilities will make special arrangements for those who have joined the Project Arrears.

13. Benefit Students stay abroad: A amount of € 750 allowance for expenses of students attending universities abroad will not return to Cyprus for the period of Easter holiday

14. An extension for two months the requirement to lodge tax returns for those who were obliged to do so until 03/31/2020. (New deadline 05/31/2020)

15. Suspension of guarantees retention requirement under state contracts and private commissions for services or products will be delayed because of the crisis. The measure has already been forwarded.

16. Support for recovery of tourism. Additional credits € 11m for implementation support activities of the tourist arrivals to Cyprus, between June and September 2020, in collaboration with Airlines and Tour Operators, and measures to strengthen attracting tourists during the period October 2020- March 2021.

17. Banking: The ECB has been studying measures to support bank lending. Under the new measures, the Cypriot financial institutions will be able to raise liquidity from the Eurosystem with significantly favorable terms. The measures decided by the ECB concerning inter alia the release of stocks of capital, which for the Cypriot systemic banks calculated from the CBC than € 1,3 billion. Moreover, the Central Bank of Cyprus is considering further local measures will be announced by the Governor of the Central Bank in the forthcoming period. 

OTHER MEASURES of PROTECTION OF CITIZENS

18. Introduction Ceilings in personal hygiene products prices (masks, antiseptic, antibacterial liquid, soap, etc.) to address issues of profiteering.

19. Necessary Personnel in Public Service:

The public service and the broader public sector and serving the educational service for the next month, from Tuesday 17/3/2020 will work:

1. where possible from their home
2. by security personnel for urgent matters and civil service for emergencies

The above arrangement excluding essential services. The competent ministers will determine the needs of the Ministry and their Departments for proper planning of the work.

Regarding the Educational Service, the Minister of Education and Culture is authorized to draw up the program for the educational needs for the duration of the non-operation of the public schools in order through the use of technology to address part of the educational program.

Regardless of what has been mentioned above, and to ensure timely and effective implementation of the measures announced, those serving in the public service, the public sector and the educational service will be required if not in a designated service or homework where invited to provide their services in other areas if deemed necessary.

Finally the Minister of Health by ministerial decree in accordance with a decision of the Cabinet, in a series of measures taken by the Government to protect public health and managing the impact of the epidemic of the coronavirus, explained that from March 16, 2020 from 6-00 am For a period of four weeks, the operation of the following companies compulsorily suspended:

• Shopping centers and department stores,
• Cafes, coffee shops, bars and all catering businesses with the exception of those that offer or have the potential to offer home delivery services,
• nightclubs,
• Cinemas, theaters and auditoria,
• libraries,
• Museums, archaeological and historic sites,
• Lottery gaming, casino, etc.,
• Sports facilities, sports clubs, cultural groups and clubs,
• Theme parks (amusement park, etc.), and
• Barbers, hairdressers, beauty-massage centers.

Provided that they receive compulsory and strictly observe hygiene rules, companies can perform  administrative or other tasks with close doors.

For health safety reasons and proper functioning of the community, open the following business categories remain:

• food retail (eg supermarkets if you kept the measure of the presence in the same room at any time the number of people including workers, not more than one person per 8 sqm usable space)
• pharmacies,
• Private health services (clinical laboratories)
• Street markets,
• Furnaces and confectioneries (no banknote-seats),
• Gas stations, and
• Booths.

It clarified that retailers who do not fall into category suspend their operations can continue their work by ensuring that the workplace will be no more than five workers.

All other companies not-listed the above categories, can continue to operate as it will keep strict hygiene rules and the protection of staff and space.

In regard to the operation of hotels, they suspend their work until April 30th 2020. To serve their existing customers may continue to operate for a period of six days from now.

Regarding the public service companies from the private, public and parastatal noted that not strictly true that the presence of people in the service area should be more than one person per 8 square meters. Indicatively, public service area means the bank branches, Citizen Service Centers, the bill payment centers, and so on.

Finally, arrangements regarding public transportation will be announced the same day by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.

 

Press office PCCI

16 | 03 | 20