Cyprus Police have initiated an ex-officio criminal investigation following a Channel 4 documentary that uncovered systemic sexual harassment and “appalling” living conditions for young British women working in Ayia Napa.
The investigative documentary, titled Undercover Working Holidays: UNTOLD, features an undercover reporter who documented a culture of exploitation targeting seasonal workers recruited through specific agencies. The investigation includes secret recordings where nightclub owners allegedly offered the journalist employment in exchange for sexual favours. Additionally, the report details incidents of British women being paid significantly below the minimum wage, working illegally without their knowledge, and being subjected to threats and coercion.
Police sources told philenews on Thursday that efforts are underway to identify and interview the Channel 4 journalist, Tir Dhondy, who went undercover in the party resort.
Mayor acknowledges ‘isolated incidents’
Speaking to state radio on Thursday morning, Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannettou stated he could not rule out such occurrences but insisted they do not represent the overall image of the resort. Zannettou stated that Ayia Napa hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and that the municipality would fully cooperate with law enforcement.
The Mayor confirmed he would meet with the Minister of Justice and Public Order and the Chief of Police to identify the specific businesses implicated in the report. “We will identify unsuitable premises used to house seasonal staff so that formal complaints can be made and the issue resolved,” Zannettou added.
Documentary findings and police response
The Channel 4 undercover reporter noted that the exploitative practices often begin with recruitment agencies in the United Kingdom that lure young women with promises of a “summer of a lifetime.” Once in Cyprus, many find themselves in overcrowded, substandard accommodation with little legal protection.
In response to the broadcast, a police spokesperson confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine whether criminal offences, including human trafficking or sexual exploitation, have been committed in the Famagusta district. The investigation will also look into the legality of the employment contracts provided by the agencies mentioned in the film.
The documentary highlights that these issues are not unique to Cyprus, noting similar patterns of exploitation in other European “party resorts” like Zante and Magaluf. However, the specific allegations of sexual harassment by local business owners have prompted an immediate call for stricter oversight of the seasonal labour market in the Republic.
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