Pakistani man who was brought to north Cyprus for work used his wife and children as collateral

The president of Free Workers' Union (HÜR-İŞ), Ahmet Serdaroğlu has brought forward serious allegations of human trafficking involving migrant workers in northern Cyprus, in what he described as a deeply troubling case of exploitation.

Speaking as a guest on the television program Haber Toplantısı pn Wednesday, Serdaroğlu claimed that a worker who came to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for employment was forced to use his wife and child as “collateral” in an arrangement with a labor intermediary.

According to Serdaroğlu, a Pakistani national who arrived in the TRNC to work later fled the island after leaving a written note with the trade union. “I read the letter and felt ashamed,” Serdaroğlu said. “The worker explained that he had reached an agreement with an intermediary to come to the TRNC for employment. The intermediary demanded a guarantee—some form of collateral.”

Serdaroğlu stated that the worker had no property or assets to offer, and as a result, was allegedly forced to pledge his wife and child as collateral in order to secure passage and employment in the TRNC.

Describing the situation as a clear case of human trafficking, Serdaroğlu said the intermediary reportedly visited workplaces every month to collect money from the workers. “If the payments were not made, the threat was always there—the collateral was his wife and child,” he said, adding that the worker felt unable to report the situation to authorities due to fear.

Serdaroğlu further claimed that the affected workers were living in severe hardship, in some cases surviving on only one meal per day.

The allegations have raised serious concerns about labor practices, migrant worker exploitation, and human trafficking in northern Cyprus, highlighting the need for stronger oversight and enforcement mechanisms.