The new amending law mandates breastfeeding and milk-expression rooms in workplaces (except those under 50m²) and public spaces. Employers must provide permanent or temporary facilities upon request, while designated public areas must also accommodate nursing mothers.
On 11 April 2025, Cyprus implemented Law 42(I)/2025 to prevent workplace violence and harassment, aligning with ILO standards. The law protects complainants, ensures confidentiality, and addresses domestic violence impacts at work.
On December 20, 2024, the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance published in the Government Gazette the “Transparent and Predictable Terms of Employment (Essential Terms of Employment for Registration in an Electronic System) Decree of 2024” (ΚΔΠ 455/2024). The Decree mandates the registration of essential employment terms for all employees in the “ERGANI” information system between January 2 and February 28, 2025.
Cyprus ratified the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 190 on eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. Law 17(III)/2024 was published on December 12, 2024.
This legislation represents a comprehensive approach to addressing workplace misconduct and establishing a culture of zero tolerance for violence and harassment.
EU Directive 2019/1152/EU on transparent and predictable working conditions, effective since 31.07.2019, was transposed into Cyprus law by Law 25(I)/2023 on 13.04.2023. Replacing Law 100(I)/2000, the new law mandates clearer employment terms, enhancing worker rights and predictability.
The amendment allows employees to take paid annual leave from the first day of their employment. Previously an employee was required to complete 13 weeks of continuous employment with the same employer before being entitled to annual leave.
The Law was adopted with the aim of promoting work-life balance for working parents and carers. Amongst other matters, the law provides for parental leave allowance, the right to carers’ leave, the right to time off from work on the grounds of force majeure and the right of working parents and carers to request flexible working arrangements.
The 4 phases agreed by the Council of Ministers for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures imposed in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, were announced by the Minister of Health at a press conference on Friday, 1 May 2020. The Minster stressed that the gradual easing of the lock down will occur on the basis of the guidelines and protocols.
On the 8 April 2020, the President of Cyprus announced that the measures announced previously to restrict the spread of coronavirus on the island were to be extended until April 30, in line with the decisions adopted by the the Council of Ministers. The financial measures announced previously to support employees and businesses during the current crisis will also be be extended until 12 June 2020.
On 30 January 2020 the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global health emergency of international concern. Two months later, the pandemic presents a number of issues for Cyprus employers and threatens the survival of many businesses. This article addresses some of the immediate issues which Cyprus employers are facing.