African migrant workers and labour organisers gathered in Nicosia’s Old Town on Sunday for Cyprus’s first African workers’ conference.
The six-hour event, organised by the Industrial Workers of the World Cyprus Regional Organising Committee (IWW-CyROC) and African community members, combined labour activism with cultural exchange through music and food.
Cameroonian community representatives discussed their homeland’s history and current situation, while organisers drew parallels between Cyprus and Cameroon’s colonial experiences and shared labour challenges.
The conference highlighted difficulties faced by migrant workers in obtaining asylum and residence status in Cyprus despite years of employment.
Participants established a communication network for African workers in Cyprus to promote solidarity and mutual support. Organisers pledged to hold a second conference soon, viewing this inaugural event as a foundation for broader labour organisation.
