Invisible hands, silent Voices: Precarity and political exclusion of international student workers in North Cyprus

The article examines the political, socio-economic, and legal barriers in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) that limit the political involvement of International Student Workers (ISWs). It highlights how insufficient protections, limited representation, and violations of visa rules lead to unfair treatment and exclusion. The article also explores their experiences, noting that their contributions support North Cyprus's food and catering industry. At the same time, their lack of political voice underscores the obstacles preventing them from advocating for their work rights. The work of Hirschman (1970) is referenced to assess the options ISWs might consider if workplace conditions deteriorate. The study's findings, based on a semi-structured questionnaire, reveal that ISWs are part of a vulnerable workforce similar to migrant workers, caught between legality and survival. The findings also show that 75.2 % are engaged in illegal work due to the lack of a student work permit. Despite legal restrictions, 65.4 % reported working between 40 and 60 h per week, exceeding the permitted hours for students. The article highlights the links between migration, education, and labour policies in an unrecognized state, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms to protect the rights and welfare of ISWs.