The Republic of Cyprus is the only state in all of Europe where residents are allowed to have people working for them with no rights guaranteed… More than 5 days a week, without a work schedule, and without hourly compensation. Even without a guaranteed wage.
Under Cyprus’ “house maid” law, families essentially own an individual “legally” (based on RoC law) for a mere 309€ a month… Usually the people that fall into this trap are victims of trafficking that come to Cyprus and get trapped under false promises, often being abused after asking to leave.
[The information about house maid wages is available in the ministry of interior website](http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/crmd/crmd.nsf/All/F16DFEEA3AF1715FC2257D6D0042D6B6?OpenDocument). One can only wonder how there’s applicable law in Cyprus allowing people to employ individuals below minimum wage while the Republic of Cyprus is supposedly EU soil… Greek Cypriots spend a lot of time badmouthing the north while they themselves are literally the worst when it comes to human rights.
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I knew the maids’ situation was not good in some cases but I had no idea – thank you for bringing this topic to our attention. I wish the media would do more to shine a light on this subject, though maybe they will feel ashamed that Cypriots behave more like some Saudi Arbians rather than European who they feel they are. Reading the MOI website I wonder how (Google translated) “****male*** *domestic worker is only permitted in cases where the employer has severe mobility problems (eg bedridden, disabled, overweight) provided a medical certificate is presented.”* it is legal to make a stipulation what gender a worker can be under [EU regulation](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52008PC0426&from=DE). I am sure if people would complain about Cypriot laws at EU courts the country it would be really embarrassing for the RoC.
I’m pretty sure that if this is brought into people’s attention, they will quickly take any steps necessary to resolve this. Alas, as Cypriots tend to say «δεν βαριέσαι».. :Ρ
It’s not just €309 per month, it’s €309 with accommodation and food, and the workers are not forbidden from quitting the service. Thus not quite slavery, but taking advantage nonetheless.
Although I know a family who have several maids and accommodate them in their own small house near the main property, pay them way above the minimum, and generously reward at the end of service. I understand that this is not common though 🙁
The reason why nobody is talking is that people either benefit from the status quo or don’t care.
I don’t think you know what a slave is.
You keep throwing the word slavery around but I don’t think you know what that word means
Maybe because a lot of our politicians’ energy goes towards the eternally unsolvable Cyprus problem, so they (in some cases conveniently) ignore other important issues?
Btw the word slavery is not only used for the literal meaning. From my dictionary, meaning number 2: • a condition compared to that of a slave in respect of exhausting labor or restricted freedom: female domestic slavery.
While there are cases of abuse, those are the exception and not the norm.
Those people voluntarily come to Cyprus and are not “victims of trafficking” and all the other nonsense that the OP claims. In fact many of them are forced to leave from Cyprus after their work permit expires, and then they return back. I’ve even heard of cases of people that changed their names so they could come back to Cyprus because they were not allowed to return.
We are talking about unskilled labor, and those housemaids are given the chance to come to Cyprus legally, get a better salary than what they would receive in their own countries and also have accommodation and food included.
Compare that with other economic immigrants who are trying to escape their countries and get stuck in shitty places like Turkey.
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>Greek Cypriots spend a lot of time badmouthing the north while they themselves are literally the worst when it comes to human rights.
Turkey is at the bottom of Europe when it comes to human rights: [https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/human_rights_rule_law_index/](https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/human_rights_rule_law_index/)
If that wasn’t the case then immigrants wouldn’t be trying to escape from it and the illegally occupied north part of Cyprus.
Also note that nearly everything you buy these days is made in countries like China, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam etc. Why do you think is that? Because all major companies have moved their manufacturing to those countries because the labor is cheap.
The only actual slavery in Cyprus is the military service as the servant there doesn’t get paid and pays for their needs too. The servant is also forced to be in reserve until his senior years. What you wrote happens everywhere and the maids chose to work there.
> employ individuals below minimum wage while the Republic of Cyprus is supposedly EU soil
Why are you talking as if the EU is some bastion of worker rights? The EU is a thoroughly anti worker, pro capital organization.
I haven’t seen it mentioned yet. Have you guys seen the Kopeles brought along to restaurants?
I have literally seen them be instructed to order from the kids menu or be expected to sit there and watch everyone eat. Some people werent raised right.
If you want a domestic maid or live in nanny, can afford it and treat them with respect and dignity. I’m not gonna judge. Their economics are worse in the home country and the amount they get here helps.
It’s common on other countries in the EU. WhT the heck, some had North Korean laborers.
Man, you are biased..
You sound like a Turkish Cypriot troll who was paid to come to this subreddit, spread hate and create “confusion” and “anger”.
Basically in other EU countries if you want the lady to live with you and clean your house daily with no days off is gonna cost you 5,000 a month. Because all people have rights not only the 1%.