THE MAJORITY of women who work in cabarets in Cyprus are victims of sexual exploitation, who arrive on the island unaware of their new profession’s real duties.
The admission was made by a police spokesman at yesterday’s House Human Rights Committee, which met to discuss the state’s Action Plan for human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors, focusing on the human rights of foreign workers – male and female – who are sold for sex in cabarets and nightspots.
“There are women locked away in flats being sold, abused and unpaid,” said Committee Chairman Sophoclis Fyttis of DIKO in his opening comments.
Discussions were focused on a point-by-point discussion of the action plan, which includes a separate provision for foreign workers, who come to Cyprus seeking to work in cabarets and nightspots.
The committee heard how there had been a steady decrease in foreign women arriving in Cyprus, searching for work in the island’s 65 dance clubs and 79 cabarets.
According to Chief Migration Officer Anny Shakalli, 2,928 entry permits were issued for women seeking to work as dancers on the island, compared to 4,000 in 2005, 4,621 in 2004 and 4,898 in 2003.
Most women now come from Ukraine, Moldavia and the Philippines, while there has been a significant decrease in the number of Russian and Romanian women seeking night work in Cyprus.
Shakalli told the committee that foreigners who apply to work in Cyprus under the specific profession must first be approved by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation before an entry permit is issued.
And police spokesman Christakis Pavlou later said that men and women who arrive on the island to work in cabarets, are put through medical tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
“If the tests are positive, then the applicants are deported,” he said, adding that these tests were taken every three months after that.
Concern was expressed by deputies over last year’s Cabinet decision to house the shelter for victims of sexual abuse at Nicosia Central Prison.
DISY’s Stella Kyriacidou said she was lost for words. “A shelter in the same area as the Nicosia Central Prison? We are placing victims of violence in the most inappropriate area.”
Fyttis contradicted: “I disagree; it is the safest area for victims.”
The Head of immigrant support group KISA, Doros Polycarpou, said the shelter’s location was indicative of the prevailing situation.
He also raised concern over the delay in harmonising local legislation with European directives over human exploitation.
“Proceedings have begun to sanction the Cyprus Republic over the delay. The European Commission has begun an examination of the matter; if Cyprus does not comply with the directives it will be significantly penalised.”
