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Work · Cyprus
Updated September 2026

🚻 I am being discriminated against at work — who do I turn to?

Direct answer

Discrimination because of sex, age, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or pregnancy is illegal at every stage — hiring, pay, promotion, dismissal — and the burden of proof shifts: once you show facts that suggest it, the employer must prove otherwise. Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας (22 405500) is the equality body for Cyprus: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίες (peo.org.cy) represents you; Τμήμα Εργασιακών Σχέσεων — Υπουργείο Εργασίας (22 803100) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstΕπίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας
Report toΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίες
If that failsΤμήμα Εργασιακών Σχέσεων — Υπουργείο Εργασίας

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been treated less favourably than colleagues in [pay / shifts / promotion / …] and I believe the reason is my [ground]. Examples: [dates, facts, witnesses]. I ask for this to be investigated and stopped. I am also contacting Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Write it downDates, what was said or done, who was there, how others were treated. Comparisons are the evidence.
  2. Internal complaintHR or the works council, in writing. Many countries require this step; it also fixes the date.
  3. Equality body: Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή ΙσότηταςFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
  4. Union: ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίεςRepresentation in negotiations and at the labour court.
  5. DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή ΙσότηταςDiscrimination at work, housing, servicesFor discrimination📞 22 405500🔗 www.ombudsman.gov.cy
ΠΕΟ / ΣΕΚ — συντεχνίεςAdvice and representation at the Industrial Disputes CourtFor members; join right away🔗 www.peo.org.cy
Τμήμα Εργασιακών Σχέσεων — Υπουργείο ΕργασίαςComplaints about unpaid wages, inspectionAs soon as the wages are late📞 22 803100🔗 www.mlsi.gov.cy/dlr
Δικαστήριο Εργατικών ΔιαφορώνUnfair dismissal, wage claimsWithin 12 months of the dismissal🔗 www.supremecourt.gov.cy

❓ Frequently asked

Can they punish me for complaining?

Retaliation is itself illegal and separately compensable. Keep the paper trail — it is what makes retaliation provable.

I am pregnant and they cut my hours

Pregnancy discrimination is sex discrimination and pregnant workers have special protection against dismissal. Contact Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας the same week.

They say I was not hired because of "fit"

Ask in writing for the reason and the successful candidate's qualifications; a refusal to answer counts against them.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “discrimination at work who to contact Cyprus”
  • “equality body Cyprus complaint”
  • “pregnancy discrimination work”
  • “unequal pay complaint”
  • “age discrimination hiring”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🛑Harassment at work→⚖️Unfair dismissal→💼Unpaid wages→🧾Client won't pay→

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