[Housemaids] Labor Laws, Rules & Rights

Published Categorized as CYPRUS
Housemaids Labor Laws and Rules in Cyprus

Without the help of Mr. Louis Koutroukides (The head of HMA Cyprus), this article wouldn’t have been possible. Thanks to him for helping us.

The moment you arrive in Cyprus, you are well protected by the housemaid’s laws and regulations, but unfortunately, most of you are unknown about it.

Cypriot laws treat everyone equally. It’s just some people think they are superior to others, and in this case, I am talking about your employers.

You have the full right to speak if you feel something’s wrong. We have Freedom of Speech in Cyprus.

Today in this article, we will discuss Labor Laws and Rules For Housemaids in Cyprus.

I suggest you read the full article without skipping even a single word.

Let’s start, shall we?

You can click the links below to learn about different cities in Cyprus.

Housemaid’s work contract

Housemaid's work contract

Your work contract with your employer can have a time duration from 6 months to 4 years. Usually, it’s for 1 year, and you have to renew it every year.

The fun fact is, “You can cancel your work contract from day one.”
Suppose you arrived today at your employer’s house and they don’t treat you in a nice manner. You can cancel your contract on the same day. You don’t actually have to wait for a whole year.

But it’s not a nice thing to do.

Until your life is in immediate danger, you shouldn’t leave the house the same day.
If your employers are “OK”  but you don’t want to work with them anyway, you have to inform them and give them a notice letter.

Giving a notice period of 30 days to your employer is a nice practice to follow. Also, this is advisable by the law.

Work with them for 30 days, give them a 30 days notice period letter, and after 30 days, you can leave.

I suggest you click here to read how to write a 30 days notice period letter.

After 30 days, your employer will give you the release, and you are free to look for another job.

Click here to read more about the release from your employer. 

If you have to lodge a complaint against your employer, you have to do it within 14 days.

As I have always told you, don’t run away from your employer until your life is in immediate danger.

If you have to run, then go directly to the immigration office and lodge a complaint against your employer.

You have to do it within 14 days, and if you go on the 15th day, they will arrest you, and you will be declared illegal.

The Law allows you 14 days to lodge a complaint with Immigration and at the same time allows your Employer the same 14 days to report you missing.

If, for some reason, you are in the hospital and couldn’t go, send your friends to Immigration to lodge a complaint on your behalf.

If you work over-time, you should get an overtime salary.

you should get an overtime salary

Your work contract says you have to work for 8 hours a day, where 1 hour is for you to eat food and 7 hours to work.

The 7 hours working per day is written in the contract, and it should be followed by both the parties, i.e., you and your employer.

If you work for more than 7 hours, you should get the salary accordingly.

If your employer pays you for only 7 hours and makes you work for 9 hours, then that’s illegal.

The employer can’t tell you to work more than 7 hours a day, and if they are forcing you to work, they are breaking the law.

If they make you work for more than 7 hours, they would have to pay you overtime. You should ask them to pay you overtime. If they don’t give, then you refuse to work more than 7 hours.

They can’t threaten you. As long as you are working properly during the working hours, they even can’t fire you.

Labor ministry says it’s illegal to fire anyone for protecting their working rights.

Here is an important thing you should know. If your employer threatens to fire you for asking about your rights, they have to pay you 1 month’s salary in advance.

You can go out to meet your friends after you have finished your work for that day.

I met a woman the other day. She came to Cyprus a year ago. She is in Cyprus for a whole year, but she still doesn’t know any place near her house.

When I asked her why, she said, “I finish my work every day and stay in the house. I don’t go anywhere. I only go out with my employers.”

Can you imagine?

She didn’t even know she can go out to meet her friends after she has finished her work for the day.

When I told her about the laws, she was surprised.

There may be so many housemaids who are unknown about this.

When you finish your work, there is no law prohibiting you from going out for a walk or even meeting your friends for coffee.

Sunday (Off Day)

Your employer can't make you work on Sunday

Let’s talk about Sundays.
Sunday is an off-day. Your employer can’t make you work on Sunday. If you work, they have to pay you extra.

Actually, it’s illegal to work on Sunday. It’s a day of rest, even you want to work; it’s still illegal. But still, housemaids are working on Sundays.

Sunday is off, and it doesn’t start from 10 in the morning. It doesn’t end at 6 or 7 either. It starts from the time you finish your work on Saturday night, and it ends on Sunday at midnight.

During that time, you can go and meet your friends. Your employer can’t stop you from enjoying your Sunday.

Know your rights and fight for them.

I also suggest you click here to read how to calculate your annual leave money. 

You may also like to read:

How to get rid of Cockroaches in Cyprus?

Can you drink tap water in Cyprus?

What is Cypriot halloumi?

How to get a criminal record check in Cyprus?

What is Cyprus best known for?

By Aashish Poudel Genuine

Aashish Poudel Genuine is a web developer, writer and currently a student in Cyprus. He has created this site to help people who are willing to come to Cyprus or want to know more about this country.

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