Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Cyprus

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) (Ratification: 1960)
Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (Ratification: 2017)

The Committee welcomes the ratification by Cyprus of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, and takes due note of the Government’s first report as well as the information provided in reply to its previous comments under the Convention.

Article 1(1) of the Convention and Article 1(1) and (2) of the Protocol. National policy and systematic and coordinated action. The Committee notes that the Government refers in its report to the adoption of a new Strategy for the prevention and tackling of human trafficking and the protection of the victims 2023–2026, accompanied by a National Action Plan. The purpose of the National Action Plan is to combat trafficking in persons thoroughly and effectively through four strategic pillars, namely: (i) enhancing prevention and reducing the risk of victimization; (ii) suppressing the crime; (iii) protecting, supporting and reintegrating the victims; and (iv) developing cooperation and coordination.

The Government also states that the Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group (MCG) against trafficking in persons, whose role is to develop policies, implement measures and coordinate efforts to combat trafficking, meets three times a year. The Committee notes that pursuant to section 64 of Act No. 60(I) of 2014 on Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and the Protection of Victims, the MCG is tasked with preparing an annual report on the implementation of the Act and on the situation regarding trafficking in persons and exploitation, as well as a revised National Action Plan. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to effectively implement the four pillars of the Strategy for the prevention and tackling of human trafficking and the protection of the victims 2023–2026 and its related National Action Plan, specifying the difficulties encountered and the measures taken to overcome them. Please also provide information on the findings of the annual reports prepared by the Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group, and on any updates proposed to the National Action Plan.

Article 2 of the Protocol. Preventive measures. Clauses (b) and (e). Educating and informing employers. Supporting due diligence. The Committee requests the Government to provide specific information on the measures taken or envisaged to educate and inform employers about forced labour as well as to support due diligence by both the public and private sectors to prevent and respond to situations of forced labour.

Clauses (c) and (d). Scope of application and labour inspection. Protecting migrant workers during the recruitment and placement process. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Private Employment Agencies Act No. 126(I) of 2012 and related Regulations govern the operation of private employment agencies and aim to protect workers, including migrant workers recruited through these agencies, and to prevent trafficking and labour exploitation. The Government adds that the Department of Labour inspects private employment agencies at least once a year, and that a training programme directed to the members of the private employment agencies is organized every year, on various topics including information on the main provisions of Act No. 60(I) of 2014. In 2023, the Department of Labour inspected 181 private employment agencies and revoked the licenses of 21 agencies found in violation of the law. Additionally, the Department examined four complaints and referred three cases concerning the illegal operation of private employment agencies and/or exploitation of workers to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

With regard to work permits, the Committee notes from its 2019 direct request under the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143), that the temporary work permit for third-country nationals is tied to a specific occupation and employer, and that the worker can only change employer for the same occupation or economic activity. In addition, migrant domestic workers are covered by a specific regime, they are limited to two changes of employer and changing sector is only possible with the approval of the Minister of the Interior. According to the Migration Department website, migrant workers must be provided with a “release document” signed by their previous employer in order to apply for employment with a new employer.

The Committee notes that, according to the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman) 2019 report on the legal framework of domestic work, migrant domestic workers work an average of 58 hours per week and often sign employment contracts without being informed or having an understanding of their rights.

The Committee further takes note of the information contained in the 2025 Report of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) on the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Cyprus (GRETA Report), regarding long working hours, low remuneration and difficulties in changing employers for migrant domestic workers. The GRETA Report also highlights that domestic workers, most of whom are women, originated from Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and the Philippines, remain particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Many domestic workers come to Cyprus through an employment agency in their home country, to which they have to pay a fee. In addition, the GRETA Report stressed that third-country nationals are excluded from the application of the minimum wage, which exists in some but not all sectors. With regard to labour inspection, private households can only be inspected upon court order.

The Committee recalls the importance of taking effective action to ensure that the rules governing the employment of migrant workers do not increase their vulnerability to situations of forced labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that migrant workers, including migrant domestic workers, are fully protected from abusive practices during the recruitment and placement process and subsequent employment. Please specify the measures taken to: (i) undertake efforts to ensure that the coverage and enforcement of labour laws and regulations apply to all workers and all sectors of the economy; (ii) reduce the dependence of migrant workers on their employers; (iii) monitor private employment agencies and the working conditions of migrant workers, including in private households; and (iv) enable migrant workers to assert their rights in cases of abuse. The Committee also refers to its comments on the application of the Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97), and the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143).

Article 3 of the Protocol. Identification and protection of victims. The Committee notes that the Police Office of Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (OoCTHB) is responsible for the formal identification of victims after referral (section 46 of Act No. 60(I) of 2014), while the Social Welfare Services are responsible for providing support and protection services to victims.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) provides guidance and standard operating procedures for handling victims and potential victims of trafficking, including identification and referral. In addition, the SWS have developed a standard referral form to enhance the identification and referral process of potential victims of trafficking and exploitation. The Government reports that the OoCTHB investigated 236 cases of presumed victims of trafficking in 2022 and 542 in 2023, and formally identified 16 victims in 2022, and 33 in 2023.

The Government indicates that, since October 2023, the SWS have been operating a Unit for Handling Trafficking victims, which aims to ensure the immediate response of Social Services workers at all stages of identifying, reporting, supporting and protecting victims and potential victims of trafficking. The Unit is expected to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and coordination and improve the operation of the NRM.

The Committee notes that victims of trafficking and exploitation are granted a reflection period of at least one month and that, at the expiry of that period, they may be granted a temporary residence permit or a registration certificate (sections 45(5), 46(4), 55 and 56 of Act No. 60(I) of 2014). It also notes that, in its 2025 Report, the GRETA indicated that, according to statistics provided by the authorities, 106 victims were referred to assistance in 2021 and 28 were provided with accommodation. In 2022, 147 victims were referred to assistance and 20 were provided with accommodation.

The Committee takes due note of the measures taken to identify and protect victims. It notes the low number of identified victims compared to the number of cases of presumed victims investigated and encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to better identify victims of trafficking and exploitation, including through the implementation of the NRM and the strengthening of the capacity of relevant professionals. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the victims of forced labour, including trafficking in persons, who have been identified, as well as on the number of victims who have benefited from assistance services, specifying the nature of the services provided, and who have been granted a period of reflection and a temporary residence permit.

Article 4(1) of the Protocol. Access to remedies, including compensation. The Committee recalls that victims of trafficking can claim compensation from the perpetrators of the offences committed against them through criminal or civil proceedings, and that they can benefit from legal advice and legal representation for this claim. In addition, section 62 of Act No. 60(I) of 2014 on Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and the Protection of Victims mandates the creation of a victim support fund, which shall provide compensation to victims who, for any reason, cannot be compensated by the perpetrators.

The Committee notes that the National Action Plan to tackle human trafficking for 2023–2026 provides for the setting up of an Evaluation Committee for the compensation of victims of trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made regarding the establishment of the victim support fund and the Evaluation Committee for the compensation of victims of trafficking. It also requests the Government to provide information on the number of victims of trafficking in persons and labour and sexual exploitation who have claimed and obtained compensation through criminal or civil proceedings.

Article 6 of the Protocol. Consultation with social partners.The Committee requests the Government to indicate how the organizations of employers and workers concerned are consulted and involved in the development and implementation of National Action Plans to combat trafficking in persons.

Article 25 of the Convention and Article 1(1) of the Protocol. Prosecution and application of penal sanctions. The Committee notes that the Act No. 60(I) of 2014 on Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and the Protection of Victims criminalizes trafficking in persons (section 6), labour exploitation, which includes compulsory labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery or servitude (section 8) and sexual exploitation (section 9). It notes that this Act requires measures to ensure the training of relevant police officers, judges and judicial staff regarding its implementation and to provide them with effective investigation tools (sections 22, 61 and 68). The Committee also notes that the Police Office of Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (OoCTHB) is the authority mandated to investigate cases of trafficking in persons and to coordinate the Police’s operational activities in this area.

The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that the OoCTHB investigated 11 trafficking in persons cases in 2022, ten in 2023, and five from January to the end of June 2024. The Committee further notes that, according to the 2025 GRETA Report, the number of prosecutions for trafficking in persons was nine in 2022 and six in 2023, and the number of convictions five in 2022 and nine in 2023. The GRETA noted the low number of convictions and that a number of trafficking investigations has been requalified as other offences at the time of conviction. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on: (i) the measures taken to ensure that law enforcement bodies are properly trained regarding the implementation of Act No. 60(I) of 2014 and have effective investigation tools at their disposal, so that perpetrators are prosecuted and that sufficiently dissuasive penalties are imposed; and (ii) the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed under sections 6, 8 and 9 of Act No. 60(I) of 2014.