Overtime hours increased significantly in 2024, reaching 1.53 million in the first seven months, according to data from the ERGANI system. This rise is largely attributed to the introduction of the digital work card.
A notable example is the supermarket sector, where a cumulative increase of 61.2% in reported overtime hours was observed from the start of the measure’s implementation until the end of 2023.
This is one of the positive outcomes of labor market reforms over the last five years, according to government sources. The single-digit unemployment rate of 9.8%, announced by ELSTAT for the second quarter of 2024, will be one of the key highlights in the Prime Minister’s upcoming speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
Data from ERGANI indicates that approximately 500,000 new jobs have been created in the past five years. Additionally, wages have increased, with the minimum wage rising by 27.7% and the average wage by 20.8%.
Employment grew by 21.6% in 2024, with 2,800,666 people employed, up by 497,557 from 2019, when 2,303,109 people were employed. Over 11,000 businesses now use teleworking, and employment rates for young people, women, and those over 65 have increased.
The upward trend in wages continues:
- The minimum wage rose from €650 in 2019 to €830 in 2024.
- The average wage increased by 20.8% over the past five years, rising from €1,036 in July 2019 to €1,252 in July 2024.
The government’s goal is to raise the minimum wage to €950 and the average wage to €1,500 by the end of the current term.
A cumulative 27.7% increase in the minimum wage was recorded, rising from €650 in 2019 to €830 in 2024, with 658,939 people currently earning the minimum wage.
Greece now ranks 11th among the 22 EU countries with legislated minimum wages, according to Eurostat.
The average wage also saw a 20.8% rise, from €1,036 in July 2019 to €1,252 in July 2024, marking a 5.2% increase compared to July 2023.
Furthermore, jobs have not only become more numerous but also better paid. Currently, 54.3% of employees earn up to €1,000, down from 69.3% in 2019. Meanwhile, the share of private-sector workers earning over €1,000 has grown by 49% since July 2019, rising from 30.7% to 45.7%.
The ERGANI system’s detailed breakdown of the labor market offers valuable insights into this trend. The Digital Work Card, established under Law 4808/2021, has been a key factor in ensuring transparency and fair practices in working hours and overtime reporting. As of today, it is used across sectors such as banks, supermarkets, insurance companies, security firms, and public utilities (DEKO), with a gradual rollout to more industries planned.
