The deadline expires on Friday for businesses to electronically submit their employees' terms of employment to the Department of Labour Relations.
The requirement is mandatory under the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Law of 2023 and applies in addition to employment information already submitted through the ERGANI system.
For businesses in the Larnaca and Famagusta districts, the deadline has been extended until the end of August due to technical problems affecting email notifications.
What the law requires
Under the legislation, every employer must inform employees of the essential terms governing their employment relationship.
Employers must also retain evidence that this information has been provided and received.
The information may be supplied:
- In printed form; or
- Electronically, provided employees can access, save and print the information.
The Department accepts employment terms submitted through:
- An individual employment contract signed by the employee;
- A collective agreement signed by the employee;
- A signed letter of appointment containing employment terms;
- An updated ERGANI employment record signed by the employee; or
- Any other document demonstrating that the employee has been informed of the terms.
The law also requires employers, employees and employer representatives to provide any information, records or documentation requested by authorised officials and to facilitate inspections and investigations where necessary.
Employees must also be informed in writing whenever any changes are made to their employment terms.
Positive response from businesses
Speaking to Politis, Department of Labour Relations Director Antis Apostolou said compliance has been encouraging.
"The response from businesses has been very positive despite the initial grumbling. The level of compliance is satisfactory from both large and small businesses," he said.
He added that accounting firms have also played a positive role in helping clients meet their legal obligations.
Fines and prosecution
Apostolou said the department will begin identifying non-compliant employers in September and will grant them a further 15 days to comply.
"If there is no compliance, we will proceed with enforcement of the law, which provides for criminal prosecutions," he said.
Under the legislation, employers who fail to comply may be found guilty of an offence and face fines of up to €5,500.
