Doing business in Cyprus: Staff welfare
03 April 2012by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 03 April 2012
According to Cypriot legislation, banning all forms of discrimination with regard to employment and gender equality in terms of employees' rights and obligations in the workplace is guaranteed through relevant acts, both in employment and in vocational education.
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Legal requirements
Company rules
Non-discrimination, equal treatment and gender equality
Department of Labour - Legislation
Department of Labour - Promotion of Equality in the Workplace
Department of Industrial Relations - Legislation
What is more, as regards the equal remuneration for both male and female employees the relevant legislation in place is aimed at ensuring the implementation of the principles of equal pay for both male and female employees.
Law concerning equal remuneration for both male and female employees
Any individual who believes him or herself to be a victim of discrimination at work may submit a complaint to the Commissioner for Administration and/ or assert his/her rights before any competent Court.
Health and safety at work
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1996 makes employers responsible for ensuring that their employees enjoy health and safe conditions in the workplace. The Ionizing Radiation Protection Act 2002 also makes employers responsible for ensuring protection from ionising radiation.
Legislation on health and safety at work
Legislation on protection against ionising rays and nuclear safety
The employer must report accidents at work to the Department of Labour Inspection in writing. This also applies to accidents occurring to third parties outside work when they result from activity at work.
Labour law
Contract law
It is considered good practice to prepare and sign an agreement laying down the main points relating to the employment of the employee. The employer is also obliged to inform the employee of the terms and conditions of his/her employment in writing within one month after his/her recruitment.
Law concerning the information provided by the employer to the employee
Should any amendments be made to the terms and conditions of the employment, the employer is obliged to inform the employee in writing, following their relevant agreement. If no prior agreement has been made, then the employee may invoke forced resignation and appeal to the Labour Disputes Tribunal for unlawful dismissal.
If the contract is indefinite, then it may be terminated by either of the parties in accordance with relevant legislation.
Department of Labour Relations - Legislation
Department of Labour Relations - Information Handbooks
Labour relations
Salaries are usually paid on a monthly or weekly basis, after the deduction of compulsory employee contributions. The minimum gross salary is predefined and is only valid in the case of specific professions.
Collective agreements are used to specify the maximum number of hours worked for, with the average ranging from 38 to 40. Overtime must be remunerated. Every employee must be allowed a specific minimum rest period per day and per week.
In accordance with the relevant legislation, employees working under the five and six-day working week are entitled to 20 and 24 days of annual leave respectively. Official bank holidays during which offices and organisations are closed usually range between 14 to 17 days per annum.
Sick leave entitlement shall be specified in agreement between employer and employee through collective or individual contracts.
Parental leave covers both the father and the mother. Employees are also entitled to force majeure leave.
Department of Labour Relations - Legislation
Department of Labour Relations - Information Handbooks
Protection in the workplace
Every employer shall ensure that prior to engaging in night work and, thereafter, at regular intervals, employees undergo free health assessment. If it is proven that night workers suffer from health problems caused by the night work, they will be transferred to day work for which they are suited, whenever possible.
Department of Labour Inspection - Health and Safety at Work
Each employee must be allowed a specific minimum rest period per day and per week, and working hours can not exceed the maximum number of working hours.
Law concerning the Organisation of Working Time
Litigation
The Department of Labour Relations of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance is responsible for resolving labour disputes resulting from collective agreements. The Department also undertakes a mediation role.
Department of Labour Relations
Code of Industrial Relations - Labour Disputes Settlement Procedure Mandatory social rules complete the requirements related to managing staff.
Businesses are free to go beyond the minimum social legal requirements at their own initiative.
Administrative procedures
Non-discrimination, equal treatment and gender equality
The Equality Authority of the Office of the Commissioner for Administration is responsible for the investigation of complaints on cases of discrimination.
In particular, employees who consider themselves wronged by breach of the principle concerning the Equal Remuneration for both Men and Women may complain to the relevant Inspector of Labour Relations or may refer the matter to the Equality Authority of the Office of the Commissioner for Administration.
Furthermore, the Committee for Gender Equality is responsible for providing independent assistance to victims of discrimination in relation to the aforementioned legislation, including legal advice and representation before Courts or other competent authorities.
Guide to the Equal Remuneration for Men and Women for performing the same or similar work
Office of the Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman)
Health and safety at work
As far as the working environment is concerned, all diseases caused by employee exposure to hazards in the workplace must be communicated in writing to the Department of Labour Inspection, either by the employer or the doctor who diagnosed the disease.
Department of Labour Inspection
Department of Labour Inspection - Health and Safety at Work
Exposure or likely exposure to ionizing radiation or cases of radioactive contamination must be notified to the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. A permit grant application must also be submitted.
Department of Labour Inspection - Radiation Protection
If a company conducts activities in factories, it is subject to the Factories Act and has to fill in a registration application to be submitted to the Chief Inspector. Before issuing the certificate of registration, the factory is inspected to check that it meets the minimum requirements for health and safety at work.
Department of Labour Inspection - Health and Safety at Work
Social insurance
The Social Insurance Scheme forcibly covers every person employed in Cyprus, while optional insurance is available to specific individuals. Everyone should nevertheless become registered in order to obtain a Social Insurance Number.
Application forms for inclusion in the social insurance scheme
Policy holders are divided into three categories: employees, self-employed individuals and volunteer policy holders. The contributions for each of these categories are calculated separately.
Policy holders' rights and obligations
Accidents at work and occupational disease covered by legislation on Social Insurance should be declared for to local authorities both by the employer and the employee. In any case, and in order to provide such benefits, pensions and allowances, the employee must be examined by the Medical Council.
Guide to accidents at work and occupational diseases
The Scheme also provides financial benefits for the purposes of marriage, parenthood, illness, unemployment, widowhood, disability, orphanhood, old age, missing partner, death, for which a relevant application must be submitted to the District Offices for Social Insurance or Citizen Service Centres.
Social Insurance Services - Schemes/Legislation
Social Insurance Services - Application Forms
Programmes
The Scheme for training new entrants to employment in health and safety issues aims to help young people entering employment for the first time to develop safety awareness. This is being implemented by the Cyprus Productivity Centre, in conjunction with the Department of Labour Inspection and the Human Resources Development Authority.
Scheme for training new entrants to employment in health and safety issues
Department of Labour Inspection
Human Resources Development Agency
Source: European Commission
