Dismissal in North Cyprus: notice periods, compensation and your rights
· KıbrısCV
Dismissal rules in North Cyprus are set by the Labour Law (22/1992) and differ from Turkey. Here are the notice periods, when compensation is paid and common misconceptions.
Probation
Probation is at most 3 months; during it either side may end the contract without notice or compensation (Art. 11).
Notice periods
| Length of service | Minimum notice |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 months | 1 week |
| 6 months – 1 year | 3 weeks |
| 1 – 2 years | 4 weeks |
| 2 – 5 years | 5 weeks |
| Over 5 years | 6 weeks |
Notice must be in writing (Art. 12). During notice you may take up to 2 hours a day to look for work without loss of pay (Art. 17).
Unfair dismissal
The employer must prove a valid reason (Art. 13). Without one, you are owed three times your notice-period pay (Art. 13). Example: 3 years of service → 5 weeks’ notice → 15 weeks’ pay.
Is there severance pay?
There is no general Turkish-style severance pay (one month per year of service) in the TRNC Labour Law. What you may receive instead: notice pay, unfair-dismissal compensation, collective-redundancy pay (1–5 weeks’ wage by service, Art. 19) and pay for unused annual leave (Art. 50). Your contract may provide more.
Sources
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Rules can change; check with the relevant official body before acting.