OT at TIF – Labor Min. Hatzidakis: The government has decided on implementing digital work card

The Minister of Labor, Kostis Hatzidakis, identified problems in the application of the digital work card.

Speaking at the OT Forum in the context of the 86th TIF, Kostis Hatzidakis noted that employers are “not excited” about the digital work card. He described the pilot application of the measure as successful, “although one or two supermarkets “bucked”.

Fines are coming

The Minister of Labor announced that fines are coming to companies that do not comply with the provisions for the digital work card, while commenting on the complaints about pressures received by workers to continue working overtime after first punching the work card, he noted that the the usefulness of the measure lies in the fact that now with a check it can be ascertainedd whether or not the schedule is being observed.

ork card

He described the measure as a threat for bad employers and a guarantee for employees, stressing that complaints can also be submitted anonymously.

As for the next sectors in which the measure will be applied, they include security companies, insurance companies, utilities as well as industrial sectors. A big bet is the implementation of the digital work card in tourism and catering, next summer.

Bad image for EFKA social security office in Neapolis

Referring to the surprise visit he made today to the offices of EFKA in Neapolis, Kostis Hatzidakis noted that he would like a “better image” referring to poor infrastructure: Poor condition of the building, air conditioners, documents everywhere and unused spaces.

He noted that some employees have new computers. For the rest, the relevant orders have been placed, but the global shortage of semiconductors leads to delays.

In the situation that prevailed in EFKA, he contrasted the picture with Pfizer, saying that the private sector is moving forward while the State is limiting itself either by the Constitution and the laws or because there is no political will to clash with mindsets.

“I saw and had to pass the law for the modernization of EFKA,” said the Minister of Labor, noting that the entry of private individuals into the awarding of pensions was fought both from the outside and from inside state institutions.

He claimed that with the new system a record has been achieved in the issuance of pensions, as “with 900 fewer employees we have succeeded in issuing 400,000 pensions. It said outstanding pensions stood at 35,000 at the end of July.

On PM Mitsotakis’ announcements

Asked about the measures that Kyriakos Mitsotakis is going to announce from the TIF platform, Mr. Hatzidakis referred to the “unfreezing” of pensions regarding the abolition of the extraordinary solidarity levy and the fourth installment from the recalculation of the Vroutsis law.

For the possibility of a further reduction in insurance contributions, he referred to the Prime Minister’s speech.

Teleworking and Collective Labor Agreements

Regarding teleworking, the Minister of Labor noted that Greece was the third European country to establish the right to disconnect. Overall, however, regarding the legislative framework for telework, he underlined that there are issues at a regulatory level.

He estimated that teleworking “is here to stay”, as even if it is not as generalized as during the pandemic, a hybrid form combining live and remote work will probably prevail.

Kostis Hatzidakis was in favor of signing Collective Labor Agreements, saying however that he cannot blackmail employers and employees into signing them. “And the employers must understand that with the constant refusal they are turning against themselves” as “there is no business with the workers on pickets”, as he said. He cited post-war Germany as an example to emulate, estimating that in Greece there is a “more aggressive mentality” from all sides.

We could cooperate with PASOK

In the meantime, Labor Minister Kostis Hatzidakis left open the possibility of post-election cooperation with PASOK for the formation of a government in the event that New Democracy does not achieve a stand-alone mandate.

Asked about the possibility of changing the electoral law, Mr. Hatzidakis noted that the main goal is to avoid the risk of anarchy and in this regard “if we do not achieve self-reliance we are open for collaborations. With PASOK, we could cooperate”.

However, the Minister of Labor referred to the Prime Minister’s speech or Sunday’s press conference for answers regarding the possibility of changing the electoral law.

He said that supporters of simple proportionality tend to deny partnerships, “with the exception of Tsipras and Varoufakis”. He noted that PASOK has also begun to refuse collaborations, while he underlined that whether or not the electoral law is changed, “the country must be governed.”