Representatives of the EC/ECB/IMF "troika" have reportedly called for lower private sector labour costs in the country via the abolition of a national collective bargaining agreement, during a meeting with relevant labour and social insurance minister Yiorgos Koutroumanis on Monday.
Ministry sources in Athens said the minister expressed reservations over the idea, while in response to another 'troika' demand, namely, a three-year freeze in ratifying sector-wide collective labour contracts, Koutroumanis reportedly proposed ratification of all sector-wide contracts envisaging zero wage increases.
The two sides, however, agreed to extend special business labour contracts to enterprises with a workforce of less than 20 employees, a measure that will essentially allow a majority of employees to agree to pay cuts.
AMNA
