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Labour inspectors uncovered 13 undeclared employees during targeted checks carried out in Cyprus’ education sector and retail trade, with authorities issuing administrative fines totaling €25,000.
The inspections were organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance as part of an effort to inform employers and workers about penalties linked to undeclared employment and violations of labour regulations.
In the education sector, inspectors visited 63 premises and reviewed a workforce of 211 people, including teachers, staff and self-employed workers. Authorities recorded 40 employers and 23 self-employed individuals during the operation. Four undeclared salaried employees were identified, leading to two fines amounting to €16,500.
The workforce in the sector included 153 Greek Cypriots, 40 European Union citizens and 18 third-country nationals. Women accounted for most employees, with 186 women and 25 men recorded during the checks.
Separate inspections in retail stores covered 202 premises and a total workforce of 617 employees. Labour officials identified 188 employers and 14 self-employed workers. Nine undeclared salaried employees were found, resulting in eight fines totaling €8,500.
According to the figures released by the Inspection Service, the retail workforce consisted of 405 Greek Cypriots, 108 EU citizens, one Turkish Cypriot and 103 third-country nationals. The sector employed 412 women and 205 men.
Under Cyprus legislation, employers found using undeclared workers face an administrative fine of €1,000 per employee for the month in which the violation is discovered. The amount increases by €500 for each additional month, up to six months.
Repeat violations carry steeper penalties. A second offence within two years increases the fine to €2,000 per undeclared employee, while third and subsequent offences carry a €3,000 penalty unless the employer proves the period of non-compliance was shorter. If investigations show the violation lasted longer, the fine is calculated according to the actual number of months involved.
Authorities also reminded the public that reports related to undeclared work or breaches of employment conditions can be submitted through the nationwide hotline 77778577, either anonymously or by name.
