Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97) - Cyprus (Ratification: 1960)

The Committee notes the communication dated 30 October 2003 from the Plalmoori Contract Labour Union concerning the case of a migrant worker of Indian nationality employed in Cyprus, which had been sent to the Government. It is alleged that the employer in question did not pay the entirety of the wages due. In this regard the Committee recalls its previous comments regarding Article 6 of the Convention and requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that immigrants lawfully on the territory of Cyprus receive treatment no less favourable in respect of the matters enumerated in Article 6, subparagraphs (a) to (d), than that which applies to Cypriot nationals, without discrimination in respect of nationality, race, religion or sex. Further, the Committee recalls its previous direct request, which read in relevant parts as follows:

1. Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the enactment of the Private Employment Agencies Law (Law No. 8(I) of 1997) which aims at strengthening further the existing measures towards the protection of migrant workers. This law prohibits private employment agencies from supplying false information regarding the terms and conditions of work of applicants and provides for control mechanisms which may lead to withdraw an agency’s operating licence and impose penalties for infringement of the law. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the enforcement of the new provisions.

2. Article 6. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that women migrant workers are treated on a par with their male counterparts, foreign or otherwise, in respect of working and living conditions, social security, work-related taxes, and access to the justice system - in view of the growing feminization of migration for employment (see paragraphs 20-23 and 658 of the General Survey of 1999 on migrant workers).

3. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information and statistical data supplied in the Government’s report. It asks the Government to continue to provide general information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, in accordance with Part V of the report form.