Partners agreed on business contracts

At the meeting on the burning issue of business contracts, employers and GSEE reached 4 points of convergence, just before the meeting with the minister of Labor Ms Louka Katseli was cancelled due to the symbolic occupation of the minister’s office by PAME members.

According to sources, the social partners agreed that the business contracts with lower incomes than the sectoral ones will last 1+1 year, during which there will be no lay-offs. The pay cuts will not be more than 12% of the fee as defined by the sectoral contract.

GSEE, SEV, ESEE and GSEBEE agreed on the extension issue, too. The minister will maintain the right to extend the implementation of the contract to all the businesses of the sector even if they were not represented in the negotiations or weren’t members of employers' organizations.

No from Troika to the extension

However, the Troika insists on the removal of this regulation and requires the widespread implementation of business contracts instead of the sectoral ones without prerequisites.

So, even if Ms Katseli has ensured the convergence of the social partners at least to some extent, it is not certain if she will ensure the confirmation from the Troika.

After the cancelation of yesterday’s meeting, the consultations will continue at a technocratic level between the social partners in order toidentify further points of convergence without the presence of the leadership of the Ministry of Labor.