Filenews 17 January 2023
Under miserable conditions, it seems that two young Egyptians worked and lived in agricultural premises in a village in the Nicosia district.
Their case came to light when members of the Aliens and Immigration Service of Nicosia in the context of an audit, realized the tragic conditions under which the two foreign workers lived. The Anti-Trafficking Office, which undertook the investigation of the case, was immediately informed, while a coordinated operation was carried out by GEP and YAM on the 60-year-old's agricultural premises.
Information from "F" states that police officers immediately identified the third-world conditions in which the two Egyptians aged 21 and 22 lived. In fact, they lived in a premises without hot water and took a winter bath through water from a perforation that existed in the area joined with a hose. It also appeared that they did not have access to drinking water and as a result they went to the house of the president of the community to get water to drink and cook. Also, outside their premises they smelled urine.
It was found that their employer deposited their salary with the bank every month, but the two complained that they worked up to 12 hours a day without being paid the corresponding amount. They also cut off from their salary the costs of entering Cyprus. When one of the two Egyptians was spotted, he was visibly distressed and was immediately removed to a suitable premises, with the basic needs of both being covered by the Social Welfare Services. In their testimonies, the two Egyptians referred to the miserable conditions under which they lived and worked, while naming their 60-year-old Greek Cypriot employer and a 25-year-old compatriot as the persons responsible for the agricultural business.
As part of the investigation of the case, the Anti-Trafficking Office of the Police, identified the two persons as victims of labour exploitation. According to the Police, the witness material collected shows that the two victims were exploited in the agricultural sector, by a 60-year-old and a 25-year-old. The two suspects had been arrested on 10/01/2023 and detained for five days.
Already in one, according to information from "F", another job has been found and he now resides legally on the island. The case of trafficking in persons at work was registered yesterday before the District Court of Nicosia. The hearing was set for February 8.
In the meantime, the Ministers of Justice and Labour and the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare intend to sign a memorandum of cooperation shortly to prevent and combat trafficking in persons in the field of labour exploitation.
