Newsroom
Police in Cyprus have launched an ex officio investigation following allegations that young British women working seasonally in the resort town of Ayia Napa were subjected to sexual harassment, illegal employment practices, and substandard living conditions, authorities said.
The allegations were revealed in a Channel 4 documentary featuring an undercover investigation by journalist Tir Dhondy, who traveled to Cyprus posing as a 24-year-old hairdresser seeking seasonal work. Using hidden cameras, Dhondy documented interactions with employers and agencies involved in recruiting British workers for the summer tourism industry.
According to the documentary, nightclub owners in Ayia Napa offered her employment in exchange for sexual favors. The investigation also found that many young British women were paid extremely low wages, were unaware they were being employed illegally, and in some cases faced threats. The women were reportedly housed in unsuitable accommodations arranged through the same recruitment channels.
Cyprus police confirmed they began investigating the matter on their own initiative after the documentary aired.
Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zanettou acknowledged that isolated cases of misconduct may exist but said they do not reflect the overall image of the town, a major international tourist destination that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Zanettou said he plans to communicate with the minister of justice and public order and the chief of police to identify businesses operating illegally and ensure appropriate measures are taken. He added that the municipality will also work to locate and report unsuitable premises used to house seasonal workers so that formal complaints can be filed and the issue addressed.
The documentary notes that similar patterns of exploitation involving seasonal workers have been documented in other parts of Europe.
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