As of January 1, 2024, the Cyprus Department of Labour Relations has implemented new minimum wage rates through separate decrees. According to these regulations, all full-time employees are entitled to an initial monthly gross salary of at least 1,000 euros. For employees who have not been continuously employed by the same employer either before or after January 1, 2024, the minimum gross salary for a full day of work is set at 900 euros starting from January 1, 2024.

The working hours for employees are to be maintained as they were at the time the decrees were enacted, as specified by either a collective agreement or a written agreement between the employer and the employee.

These minimum wage provisions, however, do not apply to domestic workers, agricultural and livestock workers, sailors, and hotel business employees, who are governed by separate regulations established in 2020.

For hotel workers, wages are determined by their specific roles and the quality of their job performance. Their minimum pay involves a sliding scale and includes service rights in addition to their basic salary. This minimum does not account for any additional allowances or compensation for working on a mandatory rest day (the sixth day). The minimum monthly wage for hotel employees is calculated based on a 38-hour workweek over five days.

To review the pay scale for various hotel professions, individuals are encouraged to visit the Labour Department website.

A common question that arises is how earnings figures such as 550 euros can exist when the minimum official wage is set at 1,000 euros. The explanation lies in the distinction between actual earnings and the minimum wage, where the lower figures might reflect part-time work or piece-rate payment.