Clarifications on the Easter holidays were given by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE).
In particular, as stated in the relevant announcement, Good Friday (14/04/2023) is a mandatory half-day for shops.
According to the law, the employment of employees and the operation of shops are prohibited until 13:00 on Good Friday. For other businesses, Good Friday is not included in the statutory holidays for private sector workers. However, private businesses in our country are late in the event that Good Friday is designated as a holiday or semi-holiday by a provision of the Collective Labor Agreement (CBA), by the company’s work regulations, by business habit and custom, during which the business remains closed on this day.
Great Saturday (15/04/2023) is a working day for employees who are legally employed on Saturday in the private sector, unless a holiday or half-day has been established by a provision of the SSE, by the company’s work regulations, by business habit and custom, according to which the business remains closed on this day.
For Easter Sunday (16/04/2023), the general Sunday holiday rule applies, i.e. the employment of employees is prohibited.
Employees employed in businesses that legally operate on Sundays and other statutory holidays are entitled to the following:
1) If they are paid on a daily basis, their usual paid daily wage and a 75% surcharge, which will be calculated in their legal hourly wage for as many hours as they are employed.
2) If they are paid a monthly salary, a 75% surcharge is due, which is calculated at 1/25 of their legal salary for as many hours as they work.
3) Substitute rest (day off): If employees work more than five hours on Sunday, they are entitled to additional rest (day off) on another working day of the week.
In the event that more favorable conditions apply (e.g. from SSE, labor regulations, business custom or custom) regarding the pay increments for working on a Sunday (as well as a mandatory holiday), these prevail.
Easter Monday (17/04/2023) is a statutory holiday for all businesses.
In businesses that are not operating, the usual daily wage is paid, without any increase, to those who are paid a daily wage, while those who are paid a salary are paid their monthly salary.
Employees who will be employed are entitled to: 1) If they are paid a daily wage, their usually paid daily wage and a 75% surcharge, which will be calculated in their legal hourly wage for as many hours as they are employed.
2) In the event that employees are paid a monthly salary:
a) If it concerns businesses that legally operate on Sundays and other statutory holidays, a 75% surcharge is due, which is calculated at 1/25 of their legal salary for all the hours they work.
b) If it concerns businesses that are late on Sundays and public holidays and will exceptionally operate on Easter Monday, 1/25 of their usually paid salary is due and an additional 75% surcharge on the legal daily wage for as many hours as they are employed.
At the same time, the following are highlighted:
– The provisions of the legislation on the Sunday holiday, the holidays of the Easter period, the weekly rest time of employees and the exceptions from them, depending on the activity and the nature of the work, are contained in articles 193-209 of the Individual Labor Law Code (PD 80/2022, A’ 222).
– In the event that more favorable terms apply (e.g. from SSE, labor regulations, business custom or custom) regarding the pay increments for work on a mandatory holiday or Sunday, these prevail.
– During the weekly rest period and on public holidays, the employment of the employee in any way is prohibited.
– On Sundays and mandatory holidays, any industrial, craft, commercial work and any professional activity in general is prohibited, except for the exceptions expressly stated in the legislation.
– Those businesses that do not fall under the exceptions of the law, cannot operate legally and, therefore, cannot employ workers, without having received a special permit from the competent Labor Inspectorate and, in case of emergency, (risk of product destruction or facility damage or materials), after reporting to the police.
– In the event that the employer illegally employs staff on Sundays or statutory holidays, he is punished with imprisonment of up to six months and a fine.
Payment-Online calculation of the Easter Gift
Also, it is reminded that the payment of the Easter Gift must be made by Holy Wednesday (April 12, 2023).
It is noted that there is the possibility of online calculation of the Gift, by filling in the corresponding fields in the app application or through the website at the following link:
#work #paid #Easter #Sunday #Monday
Greece Embassy Holidays 2024
**Interview on Easter Holidays Regulations in Greece**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent clarifications on Easter holidays announced by the General Confederation of Greek Workers. Can you provide an overview of these regulations regarding Good Friday?
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me. On Good Friday, which falls on April 14, 2023, it’s important to note that it is designated as a mandatory half-day for shops. Employers cannot operate until 1 PM, and while it’s not included in the statutory holidays for all private sector workers, some businesses may choose to close based on collective labor agreements or customary practices.
**Interviewer:** That’s interesting. What about Great Saturday? How does it differ from Good Friday?
**Alex Reed:** Great Saturday, on April 15, 2023, is considered a regular working day for employees who are employed on Saturdays in the private sector. However, if there are provisions in labor agreements, company regulations, or established business customs, they may also observe it as a day off.
**Interviewer:** Now let’s discuss Easter Sunday. What are the implications for employees working on that day?
**Alex Reed:** Easter Sunday, April 16, 2023, follows the general rule that prohibits employment for all employees. However, those who work on that day, particularly in businesses that operate legally on Sundays, are entitled to their regular daily wage plus a 75% surcharge on top of that. It’s worth noting that if they work more than five hours, they are also entitled to a day off later in the week as compensatory rest.
**Interviewer:** And what can we expect on Easter Monday?
**Alex Reed:** Easter Monday, which is April 17, 2023, is a statutory holiday for all businesses. If businesses are closed, employees who are paid daily receive their usual wage without any increase. But if they work, they are entitled to their regular pay plus a 75% surcharge, with specific calculations depending on whether the business usually operates on Sundays.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for this informative breakdown. It seems there are numerous considerations and worker rights embedded in these holiday regulations.
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Understanding these laws is crucial for both employers and employees to ensure fair practices and compliance, especially around such culturally significant times like Easter.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights today, and for clarifying these important details about holiday regulations in Greece.
