Labor & Social Insurance Minister Niki Kerameus invited national social partners to participate in a public debate on drawing an action plan to strengthen collective bargaining and to increase the coverage percentage of employees.

According to the minister's letter, the action plan must be completed by the end of 2025, based on Greek Law 5163/2024 titled "Incorporation of  Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022" on adequate minimum wages in the European Union. It must also include a specific timeline of implementation to increase the coverage rate of collective bargaining, while respecting the social partners' autonomy.

Greece's social partners include the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen, and Merchants (GSEVEE), the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ESEE), and the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

They are invited to assign an expert within five days of receiving the letter to participate in preparatory procedures - drawing good practices from European Union members and preparing the ground for proposals by the social partners that will be included in the action plan. These preparatory meetings will be followed up with a formal invitation to social partners to submit their proposals in writing within at least 30 calendar days after receiving the invitation. 

"Greece's obligation to draw up an action plan constitutes a national challenge that requires the maximum cooperation between social partners and the state, and we look forward to our excellent cooperation, in order to jointly complete this fundamental project," Kerameus said in her letter, underlining the importance of social dialog.