The national collective labour agreement for 2023-2025 for over 17,000 employees of Socio-Sanitary, Welfare and Educational Institutes under the Ecclesiastical Authority has been agreed upon. Economically, this will result in a pay increase of 175,00 euros for the average C2 level worker, which will need to be adjusted for other level workers. The pay increases will be provided in two instalments – 100,00 euros in February 2025 and 75,00 euros in October 2025.
Regulatory changes have also been introduced concerning union permits, fixed-term contracts, part-time contracts, supplementary pensions, and maternity. Particularly, fixed-term contracts regulations have been updated with the extension of the maximum duration up to 24 months. To encourage employee retention, extension possibilities up to 36 months have been set if at least 25% of fixed-term contracts are converted to permanent contracts.
In the domain of professional qualification, particularly for the socio-welfare, and educational area, the agreement has terminated the A economic position. As for overtime premiums for work carried out during holiday and night shifts, there will be an additional 20% gross hourly rate for night work (10pm-6 am) with a 5% increment. Similar provisions will apply to those working on ordinary holidays. Night hours worked during festive days will get an increment of 10%, or an even better advantage of 40% of the gross hourly rate due. Overtime work will prospectively bring a hike of 15%.
One of the significant measures related to contractual welfare that has been introduced is the creation of the supplementary pension fund ‘Previfonder’; every employer is obliged to pay a 1.5% share of an employee’s salary for 13-months, provided the employee does not opt-out in writing.
Concerning the protection of parentality, the compulsory abstinence period for maternity will entitle one to a benefit equivalent to 100% of the salary. The agreement will be discussed across workplaces in a national-level meeting by 30th January.
