Police immigration officers, labour inspectors and municipal licensing teams carried out a six-hour sweep of Limassol’s city-centre barbershops on Thursday evening (23 January), underscoring the Christodoulides government’s pledge to clamp down on undeclared work and unlawful stays. Fifteen premises—most of them small salons operated by third-country nationals—were inspected along Independence, Omonias, Franklin Roosevelt and Apostolou Varnava streets.
Although many shops were closed at the time of the operation, authorities still uncovered a catalogue of violations. Four barbershops were operating without the mandatory municipal permit or outside legal opening hours; a nearby restaurant was cited for the same offence. Three foreign nationals were arrested for illegal residence, while another three Syrians were detained over unlawful employment arrangements. Inspectors also identified eight undeclared workers, triggering administrative fines that totalled €26,800.
![Limassol barbershop raids net six arrests and €26,800 in fines for immigration and labour breaches]()
Tax-compliance teams seized POS records after finding two businesses that failed to issue receipts or accept card payments—practices often used to conceal cash salaries paid to undocumented staff. A police spokesperson said more than 50 foreign nationals were checked during the raid, part of a wider campaign that has already removed 643 irregular migrants since mid-December.
For local employers the message is clear: spontaneous workplace inspections are likely to intensify, particularly in hospitality, personal-care and small retail where third-country workers are common. Companies that rely on seasonal staff should review work-permit validity, payroll records and opening-hour compliance to avoid heavy fines or even criminal charges. Mobility teams should also ensure that posted workers hired through Cypriot subcontractors hold the correct Category E or G permits and are enrolled in the island’s social-insurance system.
Although many shops were closed at the time of the operation, authorities still uncovered a catalogue of violations. Four barbershops were operating without the mandatory municipal permit or outside legal opening hours; a nearby restaurant was cited for the same offence. Three foreign nationals were arrested for illegal residence, while another three Syrians were detained over unlawful employment arrangements. Inspectors also identified eight undeclared workers, triggering administrative fines that totalled €26,800.
Tax-compliance teams seized POS records after finding two businesses that failed to issue receipts or accept card payments—practices often used to conceal cash salaries paid to undocumented staff. A police spokesperson said more than 50 foreign nationals were checked during the raid, part of a wider campaign that has already removed 643 irregular migrants since mid-December.
For local employers the message is clear: spontaneous workplace inspections are likely to intensify, particularly in hospitality, personal-care and small retail where third-country workers are common. Companies that rely on seasonal staff should review work-permit validity, payroll records and opening-hour compliance to avoid heavy fines or even criminal charges. Mobility teams should also ensure that posted workers hired through Cypriot subcontractors hold the correct Category E or G permits and are enrolled in the island’s social-insurance system.
Source: Kathimerini Cyprus (KNEWS)
