PEO demands policy overhaul after labor exploitation discovery in Cyprus

The Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO) has demanded a radical revision of the strategy for employing third-country nationals following a severe case of labor exploitation discovered at a livestock farm in Cyprus. The abuse was uncovered during a recent pan-European operation conducted by Europol and the European Labour Authority.

According to reports, the victim was subjected to ten hours of daily labor without pay or rest days. Additional findings included the confiscation of the worker's passport, inadequate nutrition, and substandard housing conditions. Official inspections of 12 separate premises across the island identified one confirmed victim of human trafficking for labor exploitation, while labor law violations affecting an additional 19 workers were also documented.

PEO officials stated that these findings reveal systemic failures in employment frameworks and oversight mechanisms rather than isolated incidents. The union is calling for a comprehensive investigation, the assignment of legal responsibilities for the abuses, and improved protection for the affected victims. The federation maintains that current state strategies fail to guarantee the effective application of labor rights for foreign workers.