1. The largest trade unions in Cyprus
2. The main employer / professional associations in Cyprus
3. Industrial Relations Code
The Industrial Relations Code is a voluntary agreement signed on 25 April 1977 between the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation, the Pancyprian Federation of Labour, the Cyprus Workers' Confederation and the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance. The Agreement sets out detailed procedures for the resolution of labour disputes. Although the Industrial Relations Code is a voluntary agreement, it is highly respected by all the social partners, and they very rarely fail to adhere to its provisions.
Apart from the procedural provisions which define in detail the resolution procedure for various interests and various rights under the Code, such as arbitration, the Social Partners also affirm their respect of the four fundamental rights/principles set out in the Agreement.
These fundamental rights/principles are the following:
I. The right to organise.
II. The right to collective bargaining, the adoption of collective agreements and the encouragement of joint consultation.
III. The identification and definition of issues considered to be related to collective bargaining, joint consultation, and management prerogatives.
IV. The strict application of International Labour Conventions which the Government of Cyprus has ratified.
4. Trade Union Registrar & Trade Union Registrations Service
5. Employees: Rules on staff representation
Information provided below relates to the Laws regarding the Establishment of a General Framework for Informing and Consulting Employees (Law 78(I)/2005 and Law 160(I)/2018) (Directive 2002/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community)
- Company size thresholds required for staff representation
Τhe Laws regarding the Establishment of a General Framework for Informing and Consulting Employees (Law 78(I)/2005 and Law 160(I)/2018) apply to all businesses with more than 30 employees.
- Under what circumstances can employees organise staff representation
There are no requirements beyond the threshold regarding the size of the business.
- What requirements should an employee fulfil in order to become a representative
There are no general requirements for becoming an employee representative. Company-specific conditions may exist and they are regulated by the practice/agreements and/or the legislation that applies to the specific employer.
- What duties can be fulfilled by staff representatives
The duties that the employees' representatives can fulfil are those of representing the employees at company level, being informed about all matters covered by the Establishment of a General Framework for Informing and Consulting Employees Laws (Law 78(I)/2005 and Law 160(I)/2018) 2018) and informing the rest of the employees about these matters.
- What are the rights and obligations, protections and guaranteed related to staff representation
The Laws regarding the Establishment of a General Framework for Informing and Consulting Employees (Law 78(I)/2005 and Law 160(I)/2018) provide for the following rights and obligations of employees' representatives:
(a) information from the employer regarding recent and possible developments on the activities and the financial situation of the employer’s business;
(b) information and consultation with the employer about the situation, structure and possible changes regarding employment in the company, as well as any preventive measures planned in the event of declining employment levels;
(c) information and consultation with the employer on decisions that may lead to substantial changes in the organization of work or employment contracts, including collective redundancies and business transfer issues, including any facilities or parts or facilities;
(d) information from the employer at the appropriate time, manner and content, as well as at the appropriate level of management of the employer so that the employees' representatives can look into the issues risen and, if necessary, prepare for consultation;
(e) expression of opinion regarding information and consultation issues and receipt of reasoned response from the employer on their opinion;
(f) information and consultation with the employer before the latter reaches decisions on issues covered by the Laws;
(g) the obligation not to disclose to employees or other third parties information which has been explicitly classified as confidential so as to protect the legitimate interests of the company.
In the performing their duties, employees’ representatives must have adequate protection and safeguards and they must not be unfavourably treated by their employer's because of the activities as employees' representatives with the purpose to carry out their duties unobstructed.
