Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameos commented on PASOK’s proposal for establishing a four-day work week during an interview on ERTnews, emphasizing that “populist politics and realistic politics are two different things.” She described Nikos Androulakis’s proposal as “unenforceable” and hastened to declare that “not a single social partner agrees with the 4-day work week.” “When we provided the opportunity for a four-day work week, PASOK voted no,” she added.
She also dismissed scenarios about cuts to widow’s pensions and addressed the issue of the wage gap between men and women, emphasizing the need for immediate action. As she characteristically stated, “a man and a woman with the same qualifications and in the same position cannot be paid differently.” Additionally, she made special reference to professional pension funds, which, as she noted, constitute the ministry’s next legislative initiative, aimed at further supporting workers.
The Minister argued that “populist politics means saying across the board that you work four days instead of five and receive the same money, without explaining how the difference will be covered.” She maintained that there is already an institutional framework providing flexibility in the labor market: “There is currently the possibility, through collective labor agreements, to agree on four-day work. It can be implemented wherever workers and employers choose it.” She simultaneously questioned the generalized application of such proposals, noting that “in politics, especially in areas affecting millions of workers, great care and documentation are needed. I have not seen data supporting these proposals.”
Niki Kerameos: “When we provided the opportunity for four-day work, PASOK voted no”
While also speaking of “flip-flops” by the main opposition party, the Labor Minister insisted that through collective labor agreements you can currently agree to work a 4-day work week. She commented that Nikos Androulakis’s proposal “is unenforceable,” while hastening to declare that “not a single social partner agrees with the 4-day work week.” “When we provided the opportunity for four-day work, PASOK voted no,” adding that “we all want to be pleasant, but the question is who brings results.”
Legislation coming for equal pay between men and women at work
Ms. Kerameos also gave particular emphasis to the new bill on equal pay at work: “There is a wage gap – about 13% in Greece. This is what we are coming to address.” As she explained: “A man and a woman with the same qualifications and in the same position cannot be paid differently,” adding among other things that “if there is suspicion of wage disparity, the employee will have the right to request data.”
Speaking about the digital work card, she mentioned: “Everything can be done if you want it.” At the same time, as she stated on ERTnews, “we had 2.7 million more declared overtime hours in the last year,” emphasizing that the measure is being extended to new sectors.
Responding to a question about the status of working pensioners, Niki Kerameos explained that there has already been a significant change in their favor, emphasizing: “Now you are a pensioner, you receive your full pension and can work simultaneously, contributing a percentage of your earnings to EFKA.” She even reminded that in the past stricter restrictions applied: “Previously, when you were a pensioner and working, you had deductions of up to 60% from your pension. This was reduced and eventually abolished.”
Referring to the increases that working pensioners are entitled to, she noted: “Increases are provided, but technical adjustments were needed for the system to function.” As the Labor Minister clarified, these will be reflected gradually: “Work time under this regime is calculated and one will see it gradually incorporated into their pension.”
“There is nothing about cuts to widow’s pensions”
Commenting on reports regarding possible reductions in widow’s pensions, Niki Kerameos categorically dismissed the scenarios about cuts, stating definitively that “there is nothing about cuts to widow’s pensions.”
She also mentioned that the ministry’s immediate legislative priorities are different: “The next two bills we have concern equal pay for equal work and professional insurance funds.”
Regarding professional pension funds, Niki Kerameos highlighted that they constitute a key next legislative initiative of the ministry, aimed at strengthening workers. “The second bill concerns Professional Insurance Funds, namely the opportunity we provide for additional benefits to workers.” Speaking about a supplementary benefits system, she characteristically said: “We are going to provide incentives for additional benefits to workers through pension packages that businesses and employee unions can offer, with more favorable terms.”
Rebrain Greece “travels” to London on May 9
Finally, referring to initiatives for the return of Greeks from abroad, she stated: “The day after tomorrow we will be in London for another action by the Ministry of Labor through Rebrain Greece, following similar ones in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and New York.” The goal, according to her, is to connect Greek businesses with workers abroad, reminding that according to data we have a 64% reversal. “We are going to London with 35 of the country’s largest business groups, who are seeking specialized personnel,” she said. “Bringing our children back is a national mission,” she emphasized, concluding that “in the last two years we have had a positive return balance, with more returning than leaving.”
