Larnaca, Cyprus. Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas said on Tuesday that undeclared work has fallen to five per cent, marking a 10 per cent drop since 2016. He spoke at a conference on fair labour mobility marking the 10th anniversary of the European platform for combatting undeclared work.
Conference remarks on undeclared work
Mousiouttas said undeclared work remains a complex challenge that undermines workers’ rights, distorts fair competition and deprives national economies of substantial revenue. He said the issue is not only an economic necessity but also a matter of social justice and institutional responsibility.
Role of the European platform
He described the European platform for combatting undeclared work as a key mechanism for national and European cooperation, saying it has strengthened cooperation between competent national authorities and facilitated more effective collaboration between member states in addressing undeclared work across the European Union.
Impact on Cyprus labour inspections
Mousiouttas said the platform’s tools have supported the upgrading of the Cypriot labour inspection system, contributing to technical expertise development, improved inspection processes, and a reduction in undeclared work from 15% to five per cent within the past ten years.
Call for stronger EU cooperation
He said strengthening cooperation between member states remains essential to ensure that labour mobility within the EU is based on transparency, equal treatment and effective protection of both workers and businesses.
How do you think EU cooperation can further reduce undeclared work while supporting fair labour mobility?