Nicosia: Migrant workers face almost three times higher risk of being subjected to forced labour compared with non-migrant workers, according to International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates cited during a roundtable discussion in Nicosia on Thursday. The event highlighted the need for stronger prevention mechanisms, better access to information, and effective protection of labour rights.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the discussion, entitled 'From Barriers to Bridges: Advancing Fair Employment for Migrant Communities in Cyprus', was held at the Journalists' House in Nicosia on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. It was part of the HOST Project - 'Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Sector', implemented by Step Up Stop Slavery with EU funding and the support of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the European Commission Representation in Cyprus.
Representatives from state authorities, migrant communities, trade unions, civil society organisations, labour inspectors, law enforcement authorities, and hospitality sector employers discussed labour exploitation risks and the need for closer cooperation to protect migrant workers.
Speaking online at the event, Susan Kerr, Head of the Human Rights Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), stressed that labour exploitation often remains hidden, occurring in places like hotels and restaurants, recruitment agencies, subcontracting chains, and everyday workplaces.
Kerr noted that labour exploitation for trafficking purposes is the most widespread form of human trafficking identified in OSCE participating States, accounting for almost one third of all recognised trafficking victims. Referring to ILO figures, she said around 28 million people worldwide are trapped in forced labour, with migrant workers facing increased risks due to language barriers, limited access to information, and dependence on employers or recruitment agencies.
Kerr emphasized that migration itself should not be associated with vulnerability and stressed that exploitation often starts with unpaid wages, excessive working hours, misleading recruitment procedures, or restrictions on freedom of movement. She highlighted the importance of National Referral Mechanisms in identifying victims and ensuring access to support.
Opening the discussion, Step Up Stop Slavery Director Katerina Stephanou described the HOST Project as an EU initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation with the hospitality sector to address human trafficking. She reported that over 400 municipal employees, more than 300 hospitality workers, and over 500 migrant workers were trained on identifying trafficking cases, labour rights, and available support mechanisms during the project's first year.
Information and Communications Officer at the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Alexis Pantelides, stated that trafficking in human beings remains a serious and constantly evolving crime in the EU, with around 10,000 officially recorded victims annually. He noted that labour exploitation accounts for 36% of recognised trafficking cases in the EU, with foreign nationals representing almost 40% of the workforce in the Cypriot hospitality sector.
Andreas Hadjigeorgiou, Representative of the National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Persons at the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, highlighted the importance of safe and fair working conditions in the hospitality and tourism sectors, which are key to the Cypriot economy. He noted that third-country nationals may face increased vulnerability due to unclear recruitment practices and language barriers.
During a panel discussion on support networks, lawyer Eleni Charalambous pointed out that the main challenge was not the absence of legislation but its effective implementation. She stressed the need for support from the early stages of labour exploitation, not just when it develops into trafficking.
Secretary of the SEK Hotel Employees Union, Panayiotis Ioannidis, called for stronger tools to ensure workers have access to information and support. He raised concerns over staff leasing companies and subcontracting chains in the hospitality sector as major challenges for workers' protection.
General Secretary of the PEO Hotel Workers' Union, Neofytos Ttiminis, underscored that migrant workers should enjoy the same protection and rights as all other workers. He emphasized that collective agreements remain a key tool against exploitation and called for further regulation of sectors such as digital delivery platforms.