Greece ranks sixth in EU for involuntary non‑standard employment, 12.5% of workers affected

Eurofound reports that one in eleven workers across the European Union is in involuntary non‑standard employment (INE), a form of precarious work that includes part‑time, fixed‑term and gig contracts. Greece has the highest national share among the 27 EU members, with 12.5% of its workforce in INE, placing it sixth overall. It is outpaced only by Italy (18.4%), Spain (17%), Cyprus (15%), Portugal (13.3%) and Finland (13.2%). The lowest rates, below 2%, are recorded in Romania and Lithuania.

The study highlights that women, young people, migrants and employees in very small firms are disproportionately represented in INE. Women are especially affected by involuntary part‑time work, while gender gaps are most pronounced in France and Germany. Workers in INE face lower wages, reduced social‑protection rights, greater job insecurity and limited access to employer‑funded training.

Eurofound attributes these disparities partly to direct labour‑market discrimination, such as the use of fixed‑term contracts to assess workers with perceived family‑care responsibilities.