Cyprus government to double labor inspectorate staff to combat illegal employment

The Cyprus Council of Ministers has approved a plan to double the number of inspectors within the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance. Currently, the department operates with eight to ten inspectors, and the new positions will be included in either the 2026 supplementary budget or the 2027 state budget. Minister Marinos Mousiouttas stated that this measure aims to increase oversight of labor conditions, noting that undeclared labor rates dropped from 15% in 2017 to 5% in 2025. Additionally, Antis Apostolou, Director of the Department of Labor Relations, announced plans to implement administrative fines for illegal employment in the coming months. This announcement follows a recent nationwide operation targeting 16 catering establishments. During this operation, 47 individuals were arrested for illegal employment and illegal stay. The detainees included foreigners residing illegally in the country, as well as students and asylum seekers working without valid permits.