Filenews 28 April 2024 - by Evagora Prokopiou
The Inspection Service of the Ministry of Labour "filled" the machines in the first months of 2024, with targeted actions and campaigns to combat undeclared work and implement the provisions of the legislation on employment.
According to Andy Apostolou, Head of the Inspection Service and Deputy Director of the Department of Labour Relations, as well as Trade Union Superintendent, the Inspection Service carries out inspections in both private and public workplaces in order to ensure the implementation of the provisions of 30 different labour laws.
60% from Third Countries
During January 2024, targeted inspections were carried out in cleaning / Guarding / Offices and Services. Targeted inspections were carried out in the Education sector in February.
– In January 2024, 336 inspections were carried out. During the inspections, 931 employees were identified, of which 53 were undeclared (percentage of undeclared workers 5.69%).
– For February, 847 inspections were carried out, during which 2,111 employees were identified, of which 83 were undeclared (3.93%).
The percentage of undeclared workers overall for January and February is estimated at 4.47%. The highest percentage of undeclared work was detected, as expected, among workers from third countries, with a rate of 59.56%. They are followed by Greek Cypriots with 25.74% and Community Cypriots with 14.70%.
It is noted that during January and February 2024, a total of 69 illegal aliens were identified, of which 9 were people with false documents, 36 were asylum seekers who did not have the right to employment, as nine months had not elapsed from the date of submission of the asylum application or they were not entitled to work in the economic activity and profession identified. The remaining 24 were illegally staying foreigners in the Republic of Cyprus.
Official data from inspections
The table below presents all inspections that have been carried out, by economic sector, for the months of January and February 2024.
Are the fines running?
As a result of the inspections, 49 Fine Enforcement Notices were issued in January and February, in accordance with the Social Insurance Law (undeclared work and undeclared earnings), with the total amount of fines amounting to €134,100. It should be noted that, of the 49 fines issued, 48 concerned undeclared work and one decision concerned undeclared remuneration.
Also, Mr. Apostolou stressed to "F" that, according to the provisions of the Social Insurance Law (Law 59(I)/2010), in case of detection of an undeclared employee in the Social Insurance Fund, an administrative fine of €500 is issued, multiplied by seven months, unless it is proven by the employer that the period of violation of the law was shorter.
In case it is found that the actual period of employment was more than 6 months or the actual amount of earnings was higher than €500, the actual period and the actual amount of earnings are taken into account.
Regarding the Establishment of the Inspection Service Law (Law 88(I)/2020), which entered into force in 2020 and the provisions of the laws, for the violation of which an administrative fine is imposed (Minimum Wage, Employees in the Building Industry, Hotels, Leisure Centers, etc.), six Acts of Imposition of Fine were issued and sent, with the total amount of the fine amounting to €5,250.
Help from citizens too
Inspections are carried out either through targeted monthly campaigns, or following complaints, or ex officio.
The Inspection Service carries out targeted inspections on a monthly basis in specific economic sectors. An annual plan per economic activity is prepared and targeted campaigns are defined for all provinces. Targeted inspections are announced at the beginning of each month in the media.
The aim of the campaigns is to raise awareness among all stakeholders regarding the consequences of undeclared work and non-compliance with the provisions of the relevant legislation. At the same time, checks are carried out regarding the observance of basic terms of employment (salary, working hours, weekly off, etc.).
According to Mr. Apostolou, the help that citizens can offer with their complaints is important, in order to make inspections even more targeted. The service offers ways and means for citizens to submit their complaint by name or anonymously. More specifically, during January and February 2024, 50 complaints were received for undeclared and illegal work, as well as for issues related to terms of employment.
How to make a complaint
The Inspection Service of the Ministry of Labour handles complaints received:
– By nationwide telephone line: +357 77778577 (free of charge). Complaints can be named or anonymous.
– By email: info@li.mlsi.gov.cy
– Via Fax: 22-806209
– By written letter to the headquarters of the Inspection Service: 77 Kallipoleos Avenue, 2100, Nicosia.
