**Title: Concerns Raised Over Worker Trafficking Through Employment Agencies in Cyprus**
**Date: [Insert Date]**
In a recent session of the House labour committee, serious allegations emerged regarding the employment practices of temporary hiring agencies in Cyprus. The committee chairman, Giorgos Koukoumas, a member of the Democratic Rally (Disy), stated that complaints about these agencies are “linked to slave trade and human trafficking.” This discussion was initiated by the opposition party, Akel, following reports from trade unions that highlighted extensive use of hiring practices in sectors such as construction and tourism, which are legally prohibited.
Koukoumas expressed grave concerns about the implications of these practices on labor relations in Cyprus. He noted that the widespread use of temporary employment agencies undermines collective agreements and creates a two-tier workforce, exacerbating issues related to the employment of foreign workers. He described instances where workers are transported in buses or vans to various job sites, where they endure poor working conditions and receive minimal pay.
The labour committee has been informed by the relevant ministerial department that such cases do exist. Koukoumas indicated that the committee is awaiting data on whether any sanctions or criminal proceedings have been initiated in response to these complaints. He further criticized the delay in advancing a bill that would hold main contractors in the construction sector accountable, asserting that this legislation is essential to address the legal loopholes that allow such practices to continue.
Andreas Constantinou, another Disy MP, echoed Koukoumas’s concerns, labeling the situation as a troubling phenomenon. He called for increased inspections to differentiate between legitimate hiring practices and the illegal supply of workers through employment agencies. Constantinou emphasized the need for clear and effective regulations to prevent what he termed a “modern slave trade.”
The discussion comes in the wake of warnings from hotel sector unions, which have described conditions in parts of the industry as akin to a “slave market.” Michalis Frangou, the secretary-general of the Sek union, highlighted that some hotels are sourcing workers from agencies originally contracted to provide staff in other sectors, thus circumventing sector-wide collective agreements.
In response to these allegations, Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas asserted that Cyprus is “not a slave market.” He committed to investigating the unions’ complaints in collaboration with the labour department. Meanwhile, the hoteliers’ association, Pasyxe, has denied receiving any complaints regarding illegal employment practices at member hotels. Pasyxe’s chief, Christos Angelides, stated that licensed agencies are authorized under current law to supply workers from third countries.
As the situation unfolds, the labour committee plans to continue its investigation into the practices of temporary employment agencies. The ongoing discourse highlights the critical need for regulatory oversight in the hiring of workers, particularly in sectors prone to exploitation. The committee’s findings could lead to significant changes in legislation aimed at protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair labor practices in Cyprus.