What is the main type of employment contract?

It is the open-ended employment contract. Fixed-term employment contracts are permitted in exceptional cases, when the limited duration is justified by some spe­cific (‘objective’) ground, such as the time required to perform a specific task for the employer. Where there is no such ground, the contract is deemed to be open-ended, even if it has been agreed as being fixed-term. Moreover, where there continues to be a specific (‘objective’) ground, the renewal of a fixed-term contract without limit is permit­ted. Where the specific ground does not exist, it will be presumed to be an open-ended employment contract.

A) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING / COLLECTIVE LABOUR AGREEMENTS

What is the content and the scope of a Collective Employment Agreement (CEA)?

A CEA is the agreement reached at as a result of collective bargaining between the Employer(s) on the one hand and trade unions on the other. CEA provisions apply to employees engaged under employment agreements of depended services of private nature, to people engaged in agricultural and related activities as well as to domestic employees. A CEA may regulate issues arising from the exercise of the trade union rights, social insurance issues except for pension issues, issues relating to the business policy as far as it affects employment relations, the interpretation of regulatory terms of CEA, rights and obligations of the contracting parties, the terms and conditions applicable to the individual employment agreements, as well as the mediation and arbitration procedures.

1. How is a strike defined by Greek law?

A strike is understood to be the collective cessation of work by employees decided by trade union organisations, with the aim of exerting pressure on the employer for achieving a fighting point, whether offensive or defensive, and particularly for the protection and advancement of their financial, labour, trade union and insurance interests.

Which are the main insurance funds in Greece?

• IKA -ETAM (Social Insurance Fund -Auxiliary Fund for Employees)
• OAEE (Freelancer Insurance Organisation)
• Organisation of Agricultural Insurance (OGA)
• Unified Fund of Independent Employees (E.T.A.A.)
• Unified Insurance Fund for Media Employees (ΕΤΑΠ - ΜΜΕ)
• Unified Auxiliary Insurance Fund for Salaried Employees (ETEAM)
• Private Sector Auxiliary Insurance Fund (TEAIT)
• Insurance Fund for Bank and Utility Company Employees (TAYTEKO)
• Auxiliary Insurance Fund for Public Sector Employees (TEADY)
• Auxiliary Insurance and Welfare Fund for Employees in the Armed Forces (TEAPASA)
• Private Sector Welfare Fund (TAPIT)
• Public Employees Welfare Fund (TEADY)
• Unified Insurance Fund for Bank Employees (ETAT)

The insurance funds with the most insured parties in Greece are the IKA-ΕΤΑΜ and the OAEE.