As part of the ongoing efforts to tackle undeclared work, the labour ministry on Thursday announced that since April police apprehended a total of 191 individuals across Cyprus, after targeted inspections were carried out by labour ministry officials.

The inspections primarily focused on cleaning companies and security firms.

Specifically, the announcement said that 23 individuals working in subsidiaries of a cleaning company were fined for illegally hiring 60 undeclared workers – 22 men and 38 women.

Further inspections also revealed that, out of the 60, 38 were third country nationals. The company was fined a total of €4,500.

The crackdown extended to a security firm as well, with the efforts resulting in the apprehension of 59 individuals who were found to be in violation of labour laws.

Authorities found out that 97 individuals, 63 men and 34 women, were working illegally. Among them, 60 were Cypriots, 33 were EU citizens and four were third country nationals.

The total amount of fines bestowed upon three different subsidiaries of the security firm was €5,500.

Furthermore, labour ministry officials also apprehended 109 people working in various offices and service-related companies, which were illegally employing a staggering 427 individuals, of which 269 were women and 158 were men.

The labour ministry said that the primary objective of the extensive crackdown campaign was to send a message to companies breaking the law by employing workers illegally.

“The labour ministry seeks to ensure that laws are respected and that illicit practices that undermine the rights and welfare of workers across the country are swiftly identified and punished,” the ministry said, calling on people to report any violation by calling the dedicated hotline at 77778577.