GENEVA - Reports of trafficking in persons for purposes of forced labour of migrant workers on a citrus farm in Morphou are alarming, UN experts* said today.
"Exploitative recruitment and employment practices are reportedly large scale and systematic, potentially affecting over 600 workers," the experts said.
Migrant workers were reportedly deceived by intermediaries in countries of origin acting on behalf of Cypfruvex, a state-owned citrus company. Workers were brought to the island on the promise of work in the Republic of Cyprus and elsewhere in the European Union but instead were brought to the northern part of Cyprus. Once they arrived, Cypfruvex officials took the workers' passports, placed them in labour camps and forced them to work seven days a week and between 12-13 hours per day, often without pay and under inhumane conditions.
"We received information that these workers were subjected to threats, coercion, and violence by company-controlled intermediaries who engaged in direct acts of violence, and by company officials who used their influence to make public threats," the experts said.
"Work permits were deliberately allowed to expire, increasing the vulnerability of migrant workers, who are now in irregular situations through no fault of their own", the experts said. "This is a systematic practice reported in the region."
Despite complaints by the workers, there has been a lack of accountability and investigations by Turkish Cypriot authorities, and the lack of legal aid has prevented their cases from progressing, the experts said.
"We are particularly concerned at the lack of assistance to victims, apart from support provided through civil society, and the lack of effective investigation and prosecution of alleged perpetrators. Lack of action by authorities is leading to impunity for grave human rights violations and serious crimes," they said.
"Authorities must conduct effective investigations into allegations of trafficking in persons and access to remedies, including compensation for victims, must be ensured. Accountability of business enterprises and their subsidiaries or business partners for unlawful activities allegedly carried out in the northern part of the island must also be ensured, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights," the experts said.
The experts are in contact with authorities in the northern part of Cyprus and the company involved.
