Police will determine whether allegations in a Channel 4 undercover documentary into worker exploitation in Ayia Napa are true, the resort town’s mayor said on Friday, stressing that such practices must be stamped out if proven.
Christos Zannettou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that authorities have already begun investigating claims made in the British broadcaster’s report, which aired on Tuesday.
The undercover report, Untold: Undercover Working Holidays, broadcast footage of nightclub managers enforcing a “blowjob rule” for employment and exposed squalid, insect-infested housing provided by the recruitment agency Workers Family. In response, the trade union PEO and the POGO Women’s Movement have accused the government of allowing “human trafficking mechanisms” to flourish through a lack of labour oversight.
“The Channel 4 video essentially states that people working as staff in businesses face some exploitation,” Zannettou said. Despite the graphic nature of the allegations, including claims that 114 women were physically exposed by a manager, Zannettou maintained that these are “isolated incidents” that do not reflect the wider image of a destination hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The mayor also stressed authorities have taken action on the allegations. “We’ve sent relevant letters, we’ve contacted the police chief, the investigation has already begun, we’re awaiting any results and our request is certainly that all of these be stamped out,” he said. “As for matters within the municipality’s jurisdiction, the municipality will handle them so such issues don’t exist.”
Zannettou said officials are waiting to learn which businesses may be involved. “We’re waiting to be informed, if there is indeed an issue, if it’s proven, who these business owners are who proceed with these hirings and may be doing everything mentioned in the video,” he said.
The mayor noted that young Britons need to understand post-Brexit employment rules. “It must be made clear that young Britons must know that after Brexit they’re not entitled to be employed and work in Ayia Napa,” he said.
Zannettou said he would reserve judgement until investigations conclude. “If this exploitation exists, it’s a matter that will emerge from the video or from evidence police will collect,” he said. “I don’t want to judge or prejudge anything until investigations are conducted and final results are drawn.”
The mayor added that both travellers and employers bear responsibility. “Everyone who travels especially from Britain knows whether they can work in our area or not,” he said. “At the same time, the Ayia Napa business owner has responsibility, since they employ these young people knowing it’s illegal and irregular to employ people from Britain.”
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