Newsroom
A surprise nationwide crackdown on illegal employment has led to the arrest of 47 people working without the proper permits, while employers were hit with €195,000 in fines for undeclared workers.
The inspections, carried out on Wednesday afternoon, targeted 16 restaurants, cafés, and other catering businesses across Cyprus as part of a joint operation by the police's Aliens and Immigration Service and the Labour Inspection Department.
Among those arrested, nine people were also found to be living in Cyprus illegally.
The operation is part of an ongoing effort by authorities to tackle illegal employment and undeclared work, which they say puts law-abiding businesses and workers at a disadvantage.
For many Cypriots, the issue goes beyond immigration. Employers who hire workers "off the books" can avoid paying social insurance contributions and other legal obligations, creating what many see as an unfair playing field for businesses that follow the rules.
In addition to the arrests, labor inspection officers issued administrative fines totaling €195,000 against the 16 employers involved for employing undeclared workers.
Police said inspections will continue on a daily basis as authorities step up efforts to identify people working illegally and those staying in Cyprus without legal permission.
The latest operation sends a clear message that businesses found breaking employment laws could face hefty financial penalties, while workers without the necessary permits risk arrest and deportation.
