Greece Signs Historic Social Collective Labour Agreements

The Greek government and all national social partners have, for the first time, signed a landmark social agreement aimed at strengthening Collective Labour Agreements (CLAs).

Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus presented the agreement during a press conference at the Ministry, joined by representatives of the country’s major employer and employee organisations: Giannis Panagopoulos (GSEE), Spyros Theodoropoulos (SEV), Giorgos Kavvathas (GSEVEE), Stavros Kafounis (ESEE), Giannis Parashis (SETE) and Loukia Saranti (SVE).

Minister Kerameus described the pact as “a historic agreement – not only because such a comprehensive accord between the government and all national social partners has never before been achieved in Greece, but because it builds a framework of cooperation that offers stability, security, and clear rules for all. It marks the beginning of a new era for Collective Labour Agreements in Greece.”

The agreement is expected to significantly expand the number of workers covered by CLAs, bringing major benefits to both employees and businesses.

Key Benefits for Workers and Employers

According to the Minister, the strengthened framework will provide:

• For employees: increased potential for wage and benefit improvements; a stable and predictable working environment; and reduced anxiety over unilateral changes to work conditions.

• For employers: regulatory clarity; a consistent framework for investment in staff; and reduced exposure to ongoing negotiations, fostering growth and reducing unfair competition.

This is the first time a social agreement has been formally endorsed by all national social partners and the State. It also effectively ends the last remaining memorandum-era restrictions on collective bargaining.

The accord follows seven months of intensive and productive consultations between the Ministry and social partner representatives.

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Three Pillars of the Social Agreement

1. Facilitating the Extension of Collective Labour Agreements

The agreement introduces major changes to allow broader CLA coverage:

• The required coverage threshold for extension drops from 50% to 40%.

• When a CLA is co-signed by national social partners, the 40% threshold is not required at all.

• The GSEE will be able to co-sign or conclude sectoral CLAs upon invitation from member organisations, enabling expanded coverage.

• Registration procedures for organisations (GEMISOE & GEMIOE) will be simplified, ensuring smoother CLA extensions.

2. Full Protection of Workers After CLA Expiry

The agreement restores full post-expiry protection for workers:

• All terms of a CLA remain in force for three months after expiry.

• After this period, all CLA terms continue to apply until a new collective or individual contract is signed.

• The memorandum-era measure of partial carryover (2012) is abolished, reinstating the pre-crisis regime.

• Workers hired during the three-month extension are also covered.

3. Faster and More Efficient Dispute Resolution

To speed up procedures in cases of negotiation deadlock:

• A three-member pre-review committee at OMED will assess conditions for unilateral mediation or arbitration.

• The second level of arbitration at OMED is abolished, reducing delays.

• Judicial review of arbitration decisions remains available.

The Ministry notes that the agreement will:

• Lead to more and broader CLAs

• Create a more secure and predictable labour market

• Fully protect workers’ rights across transitions

• Support increases in wages and benefits

• Improve fair competition and legal clarity

• Strengthen social dialogue at all levels

“This agreement proves that through dialogue we can reach solutions that benefit workers, employers, and society as a whole. It shows that what unites us is greater than what divides us.” Minister Kerameus emphasised.

The action plan for implementation will be published in December, with legislation expected in early 2026.

The press conference was attended by Deputy Labour Ministers Anna Efthymiou and Kostas Karagounis, General Secretary for Labour Relations Nikos Milapidis, and General Secretary for Social Security Konstantinos Tsagkaropoulos.