Press Release: Sanctioning employers of irregular migrants: Commission urges Cyprus to act

Some Member States are still failing to apply EU rules on sanctions and measures against employers who exploit irregular migrants. The Commission has decided to advance infringement proceedings and issue a reasoned opinion requesting Cyprus to bring its law into line with the Employer Sanctions Directive (Directive 2009/52/EC), which should have been implemented by 20 July 2011.

The Directive targets employers who take advantage of irregular migrants' precarious position and employ them for what are usually low-paid jobs with poor working conditions. It also strengthens the rights of the individual migrant by requiring employers to pay outstanding wages.