Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) - Cyprus (Ratification: 2005)

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Article 6(7). Medical care benefits. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government that maternity medical care, including prenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care, and hospitalization, is provided to all employed women registered with the General Health System in accordance with national law. The Committee observes that in accordance with section 4(2)(b)(iii) of the Medical Institutions and Services (Regulation and Fees) of 1978, pregnant women should be granted health care benefits. Moreover, according to section 20A of the Law on the introduction of a general healthcare system and related issues (Law 89 (1)/2001), beneficiaries of the General Health System may be requested to participate in the costs of certain medical services and procedures, to be defined by Regulations. In this context, the Committee requests the Government to expressly indicate whether maternity medical care benefits are provided free of charge to all women, regardless of their affiliation to the social security system, pursuant to section 4(2)(b)(iii) of the Medical Institutions and Services (Regulation and Fees) of 1978, including prenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care, and hospitalization, when necessary.

Article 8. Consequences of unlawful dismissal. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in relation to section 15(4) of the Equal Treatment of Men and Women in Employment and Vocational Training Law No. 205 (I)/2002. In the event of dismissal in violation of the provisions of this Law, the Labour Dispute Court, without examining the employer’s good or bad faith, orders the reinstatement of the employee and obliges the employer to accept his or her services, provided that the employee has requested it as a remedy. This reinstatement takes place in addition to any compensation awarded in accordance with section 15(3).

Article 9(2). Prohibition of pregnancy testing. The Committee takes note of the information provided that, in accordance with sections 2, 11, 15 and 30 of the Law on Equal Treatment Between Women and Men in Vocational Training and Employment (Law No. 205(I)/2002), requesting pregnancy tests or certificates is considered an act of discrimination on the grounds of sex and, therefore, would be subject to sanctions, while generating a right to compensation for the worker. The Committee also takes note of the judiciary decisions issued in this regard, with the purpose of preventing and sanctioning this type of request by employers.