New labour bill for express recruitment and flexible working hours – Dialogue with social partners begins

The Labor Ministry is set to present a new labor bill to the Cabinet for approval on June 30, focusing on enhancing flexibility in working hours and streamlining express hiring processes.

This initiative aims to safeguard workers while addressing the needs of businesses.

Key provisions of the bill include:

1. Weekly to annual arrangement of working hours

2. Working for up to 13 hours with the same employer

3. Overtime and rotational work options

4. Express recruitment using mobile devices

5. One-click voluntary departure

6. Requirement for safety coordinators at technical and construction sites

In line with this upcoming legislation, Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Kerameos will initiate a new round of consultations with social partners regarding the draft bill titled “Simplification of Labour Legislation, Strengthening Workers’ Rights, and Health and Safety at Work.” Discussions will commence with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), followed by meetings with various organizations, including the Business and Industry Association (SEV), the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE), the General Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants of Greece (GSEBEE), the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), and the Association of Industries of Greece (SBE).

This draft bill aims to streamline and expedite recruitment procedures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, modernize labor regulations, bolster worker protections, enhance workplace health and safety, ensure alignment with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and strengthen the Labour Inspectorate. Improvements to social security provisions will also be introduced.

The consultation process follows extensive discussions in recent months between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and national social partners aimed at improving Collective Labour Agreements and the worker coverage they provide.

Minister Kerameos remarked: “Today marks the beginning of a new phase of institutional and meaningful dialogue with all national social partners regarding a draft bill designed to simplify labor legislation, reinforce workers’ rights, and promote health and safety at work. Our goal is to improve working conditions, further enhance workers’ rights, and adapt to the contemporary labor market by minimizing red tape and modernizing labor regulations.”