Labor Minister Niki Kerameos unveiled a historic social agreement that promises higher wages, job security, and legal clarity for hundreds of thousands of Greek workers. Signed by all National Social Partners, the deal also ends all remaining austerity-era restrictions on labor rights.
Key points of the agreement:
- Expansion of collective agreements: Coverage threshold lowered from 50% to 40%, with additional flexibility when national partners co-sign.
- Full protection after contracts expire: Workers retain all rights until new collective or individual agreements are signed, restoring pre-austerity protections.
- Faster dispute resolution: Streamlined procedures at OMED, reducing bureaucracy while maintaining judicial review.
Impact:
- Broader coverage for workers previously excluded from collective agreements.
- Improved wage and benefit prospects.
- Stable, predictable, and legally secure work environment.
- Clearer rules for employers, supporting investment and fair competition.
Analysis:
This agreement not only restores labor rights lost during austerity, but also sets a framework for cooperative labor relations. By combining dialogue with decisive government action, Kerameos establishes a new era of stability and fairness in the Greek labor market.
GSEE President Giannis Panagopoulos hailed the deal as a critical step toward national collective agreements, signaling a broader shift in social dialogue and labor protections.
Source: pagenews.gr