A digital employment card, designed to enhance the Ministry of Labor and Social Security’s oversight of labor market data, is set to be fully implemented in the tourism and hospitality sectors starting March 1. This follows a trial period in recent months, allowing businesses time to adapt.
Already in use in other sectors – including banks, supermarkets, insurance companies, security firms, public utilities, factories, and retail stores – the initiative aims to ensure the accurate recording of actual working hours and remuneration for hours worked.
The measure also seeks to prevent excessive overtime, combat undeclared and underreported employment, curb tax evasion, and strengthen ministry inspections. Its expansion to the tourism and hospitality sectors will bring approximately 1.5 million private-sector employees under its jurisdiction.
According to the ministry, the initiative has become essential, as recent data from the Ergani payment system indicates a sharp rise in overtime hours across various sectors.
In this context, Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus announced that the government is considering further reducing non-wage costs to benefit both employees and businesses.
As part of a new legislative initiative, the ministry is exploring the possibility of lowering insurance contributions for overtime, night shifts, and holiday work, particularly in sectors already using the digital employment card, where overtime has been steadily increasing.