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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Article 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the Aliens and Immigration (Amendment) Law No. 100(I) of 1996 which increases the penalties imposed on employers who contravene the existing legislation by illegally employing migrant workers. According to the new provisions, the employment of an alien without a permit, or the employment of an alien in contravention of any other law or regulation is an offence punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or with a fine up to £5,000, or both. The Committee also notes that the penalties imposed for contraventions of the aliens and immigration legislation in general have been increased. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the impact of the new provisions aimed at penalizing the illegal recruitment and employment of migrant workers. The Committee asks to state whether courts of law or other tribunals have handed down decisions regarding the abovementioned measures. If so, please supply the text of the decisions.

2. Article 10. The Committee requests the Government to provide further particulars regarding the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment of foreign workers. In this connection, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate on which grounds access to certain jobs may be limited to Cypriot nationals.

3. Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information and statistical data supplied in the Government’s report. It asks the Government to continue to provide general information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, in accordance with Part V of the report form.