Unions sound alarm over illegal sub-renting of foreign workers

Local Top Newstrade unionsworkers' rights Unions sound alarm over illegal sub-renting of foreign workers Oikodomes Ksenoi 1536x864 Relevant News Unions sound alarm over illegal sub-renting of foreign workers 14 July 2026 On this day: Parisian crowd storms the Bastille, igniting the French Revolution in 1789 14 July 2026 Vandals cut chains with angle grinder to park on Mackenzie beach 14 July 2026 Angelos Angelodimou 14 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The “sub-renting of workers” is becoming an issue that could potentially disrupt labour peace in Cyprus. Days ago, trade union organisations in the construction industry issued an announcement on the matter. Yesterday, the hotel workers’ union followed, raising the issue again. According to philenews information, there has been significant discontent within union ranks lately, both over the issue of third-country foreign workers and over other pending labour issues. Unions have long put several demands on the table without any resolution. These include extending collective agreements and linking them to public contracts, the hourly rate equivalent of the minimum wage, undeclared work, and hourly-paid workers. This has now led to talk of deregulation across the wider labour market. Returning to the issue of worker sub-renting, unions describe it as a particularly serious matter. Following rumours that the Xylofagou incident may be linked to some degree to this issue, unions are sounding the alarm to the State. Legislation clearly sets out the procedure for hiring foreign workers in the construction and hotel industries. Unions say this legislation has been repeatedly violated, and that tolerance has now reached its limit. Yesterday, in a statement, the trade union said illegal practices of worker sub-renting are being carried out in violation of existing legislation. The union said the real issue is not the presence of workers from third countries in the Cypriot labour market. Instead, it said the market needs rules, transparency and strict enforcement of the law, adding that tolerance and inaction are no longer an option. It added that tolerance of such practices reinforces the exploitation of workers, creates unfair competition between businesses, and undermines the smooth functioning of the labour market. How the scheme works According to what unions have alleged, as well as information gathered by philenews, private employment agencies, possibly in coordination with employers, bring foreign workers into the country. These workers are registered as domestic helpers, cleaners, or under another profession, and are then temporarily “rented” to hotels and construction contractors, without contracts and at wages that do not match Cypriot standards. The phenomenon appears to have grown, which is why unions in both sectors, construction and hotels, are holding those responsible accountable, without ruling out mobilisation. It is recalled that, days ago, in a joint statement, stressed that the phenomenon of “rented workers” breaches temporary employment legislation, which prohibits this form of employment in the construction and tourism sectors. The unions also raised the issue of circumvention of social funds, arguing that some employers avoid obligations arising from the construction sector’s institutional framework. The unions also warned that workers are ready to take dynamic measures if the issues raised during a recent meeting with Labour Minister Marinos Moushouttas are not addressed. The issue, however, is not new. According to philenews information, the Director of the Department of Labour Relations sent a letter on June 17, 2025 to those directly involved, drawing their attention to the legislative provisions on employing foreign workers in the construction and hotel industries. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News On this day: Parisian crowd storms the Bastille, igniting the French Revolution in 1789 Vandals cut chains with angle grinder to park on Mackenzie beach Things to do on Tuesday, July 14 Fitto’s appointment as EU Cyprus envoy seen as institutional boost More than 260,000 evacuated as Typhoon Bavi brings severe floods Firefighters battle Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris as two arrested Bangkok governor vows tighter regulations as pub fire death toll rises to 30 Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.