Foreign national rescued from labor exploitation in Larnaca district

Authorities in Cyprus have identified and rescued a foreign national subjected to severe labor exploitation at a livestock farm in the Larnaca district. The discovery was made following a civilian tip-off during the pan-European "Labour Exploitation Action Days," coordinated by Europol and the European Labour Authority (ELA), which took place between September 14 and 20, 2026.

According to Eleni Michael, head of the Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the victim was living in squalid, inhumane conditions. Following an investigation by the Police, which utilized information provided by the Labour Office, the case file was submitted to the Legal Service. Consent has been granted to file charges, and the matter is now pending before the Nicosia District Court. The victim has been removed from the site and is currently under state protection.

This incident is part of a broader crackdown on labor trafficking in Cyprus. Recent reports have highlighted similar cases, including workers in Nicosia reporting inhumane conditions, malnutrition, and abuse by employers. These cases are frequently characterized by excessive working hours and inadequate, unsanitary living environments, reflecting systemic challenges regarding the exploitation of migrant labor in the country.