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The Pancyprian Federation of Hairdressers and Barbers is raising concerns about what it describes as unfair competition from hair salons and barbershops operated by foreign nationals, claiming many of them operate outside of regulated hours with little to no oversight.
While these businesses are properly licensed, Federation President Nakis Pantelides said they often ignore public holidays and legal working hours. Speaking Monday on Sigma TV’s “Mera Mesimeri” program, Pantelides called for legislative changes that would allow the Federation to carry out its own inspections.
“Many of these businesses create their own schedules,” Pantelides said. “They operate on Sundays, public holidays, even during major religious celebrations like Easter and Christmas. Some stay open until 10 or 11 p.m., sometimes even midnight.”
Pantelides said the issue is not that the salons are open, but that the lack of uniformity in hours creates an uneven playing field. “We’re not asking for closures. But when a Cypriot hairdresser works from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.—a humane schedule—and someone else starts at 6 a.m. and runs until nearly midnight, that’s not fair competition,” he said.
Call for inspection
Pantelides said that under current law, the Ministry of Commerce is responsible for enforcing salon regulations. However, he said the Federation has been pushing for years to gain authority to conduct inspections.
“Legally, we’re not allowed to inspect,” he said. “We’re working on legislative amendments. In many cases, one person holds a license, but four or five people are working—some may be registered, others may not. Who is checking this?”
Shifting work schedules
Asked whether Cypriot-owned salons also violate the rules, Pantelides acknowledged that occasional violations occur, but primarily during daytime hours.
He noted that the sector is increasingly moving toward flexible schedules. A recent internal referendum approved allowing salons to open six days a week, though employees would still work only five.
He added that while a special tourist schedule used to exist, it has been inactive since 2015. Under a 2003 law, Thursday is officially designated as a rest day.
Walk through old Nicosia
Stavros Papadouris, head of the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Alliance, said he recently toured the old city of Nicosia and personally confirmed reports of regulatory violations and unfair business practices.
Papadouris said he submitted a formal inquiry to the Ministry of Commerce and received responses confirming the issue. He added that multiple agencies bear responsibility for oversight, including the Ministry of Labor, local municipalities, health services, the Consumer Protection Service, and the police.
“There is acknowledgment from the Minister of Commerce, from the Municipality of Nicosia, and from the relevant services,” he said.
See the video, in Greek, here:
This article was translated from its Greek original.
