This post was most recently updated on January 6th, 2023
The majority of Cyprus employers refuse to give you the release letter when you ask for it.
What might be the reason?
The reason is simple. They just don’t want to pay you your gratuity(Annual leave) or even the remaining salary.
If you don’t want to work in your employer’s house, then it’s your right to get the release paper and look for a new employer. But in most cases that we have seen, employers tend to threaten housemaids and try to put fear in them.
Some of the common threats are:
- I will send you back to your country.
- I will call the police, and they will put you in prison.
- If you go out of this house, you will be illegal.
- You will be banned forever from coming to Cyprus.
Let me tell you something. These are all empty threats. Most employers don’t know that threatening their employees is a criminal offense, and it can land them in jail too.
If you don’t want to work there, no one can force you. You are entitled to get a release paper, and your employers are obliged to give it to you.
Educated employers who know how the law works will never threaten you. They understand your rights and won’t put fear in you. But some of the uneducated ones are mainly racist, and they just want to show that they are superior to you.
You can click the links below to learn about different cities in Cyprus.
Well, every problem has a solution. If the release is given, then it’s fine, but if it’s not, you can cancel your contract and get the release legally by giving your employer a 30 days Notice period letter.
A notice letter is a document that you give your employer as regards the termination of your contract. When you give a 30 days notice period, your employer also can find a replacement for you, and with a notice letter, your employer also can’t say “No” to a release paper.
If you wish to learn more, I suggest you click here to read how to write a notice letter and give it to your employer to get a release paper.
What to do while signing the Release Paper?
Employers can create drama while giving you the release paper. Here are some of the suggestions I advise you to follow while signing the release paper.
Read the release letter from top to bottom, line by line, and make sure you understand everything written there.
Take out your phone and record your conversation. Warn your employer that this conversation is being recorded. The recording is essential just in case your employer might claim afterward that you stole things from their house. Ask your employer in a loud and clear voice to check your luggage before you leave.
Make sure all the money (salary + annual leave) that is balanced from them to you is either given to you in hand or deposited in your bank account. Don’t believe them if they say they will give you the money later. If you sign the letter and you don’t have the money, you can’t claim it cause you have already signed the letter.
I suggest you click here to read how to calculate your annual leave money.
Don’t sign until and unless they give you your money. If they try to play foul, contact immigration as soon as possible.
They will threaten you by saying that you will be illegal if you don’t sign the letter. Don’t trust them. You won’t be illegal if you don’t sign the letter.
Don’t run away from your employer’s house
The run-away option isn’t a good option unless your life is in immediate danger. Please give them a notice letter and legally get the release paper. 30 days notice letter is advisable and accepted by the labor ministry.
Run away only if your life is in danger. If everything is under control, don’t run away.
Even if you feel that running away is your only option, never leave children, sick people, or extremely ill patients. If you do this, irrespective of your situation, you are liable for a criminal offense, and you can be sent to Jail. Follow the notice period suggestion and be out of there free in no time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to write them down in the comment section below.
You may also like to read:
What is GESY in Cyprus and how does it work?
Can you drink tap water in Cyprus?
