Conference exposes severe exploitation and systemic abuse of foreign workers in Cyprus hospitality sector

Local Top Newsworkers' rights Conference exposes severe exploitation and systemic abuse of foreign workers in Cyprus hospitality sector Filoksina Relevant News Conference exposes severe exploitation and systemic abuse of foreign workers in Cyprus hospitality sector 16 August 2026 Unstable weather brings relief from heatwave as rains, storms, and hail hit interior and mountain areas 16 August 2026 Tragedy at Larnaca CTO beach as mother drowns and two young daughters are hospitalized 15 August 2026 Marios Demetriou 16 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Widespread labor exploitation, substandard living conditions, and systemic human trafficking risks facing foreign workers in the Cyprus hospitality sector were highlighted during a multi-thematic conference held in Nicosia. The event, titled “Promoting Fair Employment for the Migrant Workforce in Cyprus,” was organized by the non-governmental organization Step Up Stop Slavery at the Journalist House on July 30, 2026, to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Supported by the Ministry of Justice as the National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the conference gathered state officials, trade unions, law enforcement, and migrant advocacy groups under the EU-funded HOST project. All the participants in the conference Representatives from trade unions SEK and PEO denounced illegal practices such as labor subletting and the tied work permit system, which binds third-country nationals to specific employers. Union officials noted that this mechanism creates an environment of fear where workers face deportation if they report abuse. SEK representative Panagiotis Ioannides stated that migrant workers, asylum seekers, and students form the backbone of the island’s tourism industry, yet are frequently treated as disposable labor subjected to unpaid overtime and wage deductions of up to 40% for inadequate housing. Katerina Stephanou and Andreas Hadjigeorgiou Government representatives detailed ongoing policy measures and enforcement metrics aimed at curbing illegal employment. Department of Labour Relations Director Antis Apostolou reported that official inspections total approximately 8,000 annually, contributing to a reduction in undeclared labor from 15% in recent years to around 5%. In parallel, officials from the Deputy Ministry of Migration presented the Republic’s first National Migrant Integration Strategy for 2026–2029, which focuses on socio-economic inclusion, healthcare access, and anti-discrimination policies. Eleni Michail Police Anti-Trafficking Unit Police anti-trafficking officials highlighted recent enforcement milestones, noting that Cyprus maintained Tier 1 status in the US Department of State assessment from 2022 to 2025. Over the past five years, law enforcement secured convictions in over 24 trafficking cases involving more than 40 perpetrators, including groundbreaking convictions for clients purchasing sexual services from trafficking victims and a recent probe into labor exploitation within the food delivery sector. Meanwhile, community leaders and survivor advocates presented survey data indicating that nearly 60% of surveyed refugee and asylum-seeker workers experienced racial discrimination in the workplace, urging state authorities to decoupling work permits from employers and enforce stricter penalties on non-compliant employment agencies. Irene Che and Stephan TTchounanteu Lama Swas from the organisation «Hold My Hand CY» Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Unstable weather brings relief from heatwave as rains, storms, and hail hit interior and mountain areas Tragedy at Larnaca CTO beach as mother drowns and two young daughters are hospitalized 17 year old jet ski operator hospitalized after collision with water sports inflatable off Protaras Police make three arrests in Larnaca, Nicosia, and Limassol, solving five burglary cases Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes Granada in southern Spain, causing structural damage without injuries Cyprus tax-free threshold nearly tenfold over 35 years as comprehensive tax reform takes effect for 2026 Forbes list highlights Cyprus as retirement haven, but local context reveals sharp purchasing power divide Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.