Greece expands Digital Work Card to new sectors

The Greek Ministry of Labour is expanding the implementation of the Digital Work Card, a mechanism designed to combat undeclared overtime and protect worker rights through the ERGANH II system. Following a pilot phase, the first major expansion phase will transition to full enforcement on October 12, 2026. This phase includes sectors such as private healthcare, telecommunications, logistics, advertising, and services, potentially affecting an additional 500,000 employees.

While the Ministry views this as a decisive step for digital transformation and labor protection, workers and unions have raised concerns regarding potential loopholes. Reported issues include employees being forced to clock out at the end of their contractual hours while continuing to work off the record, and difficulties in monitoring remote or flexible work arrangements in consulting and telecommunications. Despite the system's goal to ensure compliance, critics argue that current practices may allow for systematic evasion of overtime declarations.