Addressing Concerns Over Hotel Raids and Illegal Employment
In light of the recent uproar regarding police checks at hotels, Christos Andreou, a police spokesman, has provided insights into the operations following feedback from the hoteliers’ association, Pasyxe. The association had expressed concerns about the raids inciting panic among hotel staff and guests.
Andreou detailed a specific incident at a Paphos hotel, which had been singled out by Pasyxe for causing undue alarm. Contrary to some reports, Andreou clarified that during this operation, the police did not enter the hotel. Instead, they established a perimeter with 15 officers to deter potential escape attempts by individuals working illegally. This tactic was employed as it is common for workers to flee when labour and migration officers arrive in plain clothes.
He emphasized that the officers involved in these checks are unarmed and focus solely on preventing escapes. Despite the heightened attention on the Paphos raid, Andreou confirmed that no arrests for illegal employment were made on that occasion, as the workers remained in their rooms—a domain beyond police jurisdiction.
Addressing the broader issue of illegal employment, Andreou noted that complaints had been lodged against the hotel group in question. He also highlighted a significant increase in arrests related to illegal employment in the Paphos area, with figures doubling from 14 in 2023 to 31 so far in 2024.
The Ministry of Labour also weighed in on the matter, acknowledging receipt of Pasyxe’s letter regarding the Paphos incident. Labour Minister Yiannis Panyiotou underscored the gravity of illegal and undeclared work, urging employers to comply with regulations to combat this issue effectively.
Panyiotou called for a collective effort from employers and social partners to address illegal employment, emphasizing the consequences such as revenue loss for the Social Security Fund and increased illegal immigration flows.
Meanwhile, Philokypros Roussounides, the general director of Pasyxe, suggested that police operations could be executed with greater discretion. He referenced the Paphos event where approximately 30 officers were said to have entered the hotel, causing panic. Roussounides pointed out the difficulty for hotel owners in identifying fraudulent identification documents, highlighting their reliance on submitted forms to social insurance.
The dialogue between law enforcement, labour authorities, and hoteliers continues as they seek a balance between effective policing and maintaining a calm environment within the hospitality sector.
