Minister of Labour and Mayor of Nicosia discuss new benefits for employing people with disabilities

Minister of Labour Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu and Nicosia (LTB) Mayor Mehmet Harmancı met with families of people with special needs at the inclusive café «Yeni Dünya +1 Cafe». The meeting discussed new support measures aimed at involving young people in production and integrating them into the private sector.

The authorities presented a large-scale subsidy programme: when a person with a disability is hired, the state will directly pay 30,000 lira into their account (half of the minimum wage). At the same time, the basic social allowance is not abolished entirely, but is maintained at 50%. Taking into account 100% coverage of social security contributions for employers, the starting income of a working person with special needs will amount to at least 90,000 lira. If the person stops working, the previous allowance is fully restored.

The Labour Ministry also released statistics: in 2025, 5,855 people received financial assistance totalling more than 1.27 billion lira. The head of the Orthopedic Disabilities Association, Günay Kibrit, called the current subsidies unprecedented and urged parents to more actively motivate their children towards independent life and work, while Mayor Mehmet Harmancı announced plans to create a unified social employment network together with businesses.