Collective Labour Agreements<\/a> are being extended to over 400,000 workers in Health and Sugar<\/b>, bringing an increase of up to around 20% over the minimum wage.<\/p>\n
A decision by the Minister of Labour and Social Security Nikis Kerameos<\/b> and on the basis of the National Social Agreement on Collective Labour Agreements<\/b>, two new Collective Labour Agreements are extended to all workers in the food and confectionery sectors, covering a total of over 400,000 workers.The two Collective Labour Agreements cover the three-year period 2026-2028 and provide for salaries up to approximately 20% above the statutory minimum wage.<\/b><\/p>\n
Specifically, the Collective Labour Agreement concerning the food service<\/b> sector provides for a basic salary of between \u20ac930 and \u20ac1,100, an increase of up to 19.6% over the statutory minimum wage<\/b>. The Collective Labour Agreement applies to all workers employed in tourism and catering establishments in the country (more than 400,000) without exception and is valid from 1.4.2026 to 31.3.2028 and also provides for additional benefits for employees, such as a marriage allowance with a 10% increase, a tourism education allowance of up to 15% and a seasonal employment allowance of 10%.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the Collective Labour Agreement signed in the Sugar Products<\/b> sector covers 6,000 workers, while the extension mechanism provided for in the National Social Agreement and implemented with Ms Kerameos’ signature increases the number of benefited workers by 17,000 workers to a total of 23,000. It provides for minimum wages increased by up to 7.2% over the statutory minimum wage with the total increase amounting to 9.2% over three years<\/b>. The new Collective Labour Agreement covers the period 1.1.2026 to 31.12.2028 and also provides for additional benefits such as a marriage allowance with a 10% increase, an education allowance with an increase of up to 10% and a 20% increase for master craftsmen.<\/p>\n
“The extension of the Collective Labour Agreements to two extremely large sectors of workers and even with a minimum wage increased by up to 20% over the statutory minimum wage is tangible proof of the enormous importance and usefulness of the National Social Agreement. At the same time, it fully confirms that the minimum wage is just a safety net for workers and can be greatly increased through Collective Labour Agreements between workers and employers<\/b>, which can provide for overall constantly improving working conditions,” said Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Kerameos.<\/p>\n