Greece Extends Labor Contract Suspension Period for Covid-hit Tourism Businesses

The Greek government announced on Monday that tourism business employers impacted by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will still be able in August and September to suspend employee contracts in an attempt to cushion the financial blow.

According to the labor ministry, the special provision to the law applies to private sector companies active in the following areas:

– tourism: both seasonal or year round

– air and sea transport

– land transport

– F&B

– culture and sports

– businesses with special Activity Code Numbers (the codes indicate which industries and therefore companies are covered by the measure).

The decision, aimed at protecting jobs, supporting the labor market and business owners, and curbing the spread of Covid-19, extends the previous suspension period first announced when the pandemic broke out.

In addition to tourism and travel, the latest provision also adds businesses in F&B, culture and sports and applies for both August and September.

The relief measure includes wages and covers social security contributions of up to 100 percent of a Covid-19-impacted operation’s staff as initially announced and aims to prevent the dismissal of staff.