Expanded collective labor agreement protects workers in food, tourism sectors of Greece
The Labor Ministry said it will go into effect as soon as it is published in the Government Gazette. It is hoped the new CLA will attract more people to filling in staff shortages during the current tourism season. It was reviewed and approved by the Supreme Labor Council.
It covers an overlap in contracts not foreseen in the June 12 CLA and guarantees that if employees work over 5 days a week, they must be paid a day's wage for every extra day of work. If a work day falls on a Sunday or a holiday, staff must be compensated with and additional 75% on their daily wage.
The request for the expanded terms came from unions of both employees and employers.
Agreement provisions
Based on estimates, the provisions will affect nearly 430,000 workers. It includes those working in restaurants, cafes, as well as couriers who may have individual contracts with such stores.
Its duration is 2 years and it goes into effect retroactively as of March 1, 2023 for members of organizations that signed it, and from the day of publication in the Gazette for those that have not. Wages foreseen are higher than the national minimum wage (from 815 euros to 1,017 euros gross), with increases of 4.5% to 5.5% as of June, compared to the wages of the previous CLA.
As of June 2024, a further increase of 5% will be introduced in basic salaries, while a series of graded bonuses will also be included (e.g. marriage, tourism training, hazardous work).
Signing the CLA of June 12 that was expanded were the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in Food and Tourism (POEET, including waiters, hotel staff, cooks, confectioners, and beer and ice sellers), and the employer organizations of the Panhellenic Federation of Restaurant and Related Professions (POESE), Federation of the Professionals and Craftsmen Confectioners of Greece (OEZE) and the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen, and Merchants (GSEVEE).
