An undercover Channel 4 investigation into the exploitation of young British women and men in Ayia Napa will be screened in Nicosia on Thursday, January 22.
The documentary, titled Working Holidays in Ayia Napa will be screened at Mikri Arktos, from 19:30 to 21:30.
According to organisers IWW-Cyprus, the film comes at a critical juncture as negotiations for a new sectoral collective agreement began on 15 January.
Organisers argue that the footage provides undeniable evidence of an “organised network of exploitation targeting young British women lured to Cyprus for so-called ‘working holidays’,” where they instead face “illegal employment practices, sexual harassment and unsafe living conditions.”
The documented abuses in Ayia Napa have placed pressure on the government and the Police to move beyond administrative inspections and address the systemic lack of oversight in the nightlife industry. For months, reports have circulated regarding hotels and bars operating without valid permits, an environment that IWW Cyprus claims allows such predatory behaviour to flourish. The union has questioned whether the current negotiations will “reflect the working reality of the 21st century, or follow the same beaten path” that has historically left seasonal workers vulnerable.
The screening is being framed as a demand for a “modern collective agreement” that protects those in the hospitality sector from “wage slavery” and harassment.
Following the screening, a seasonal worker from the industry will join the discussion to provide a direct account of the current conditions.
