Best Wage & Hour Lawyers in Arta

About Wage & Hour Law in Arta, Greece

Wage and hour law in Arta is governed by national Greek labor legislation that applies uniformly across the country. It sets the rules for minimum pay, working time, overtime, night and Sunday work, rest breaks, paid leave, and payroll recordkeeping. Local practice in Arta is influenced by the region’s economic profile, which includes agriculture, food processing, commerce, construction, tourism and hospitality, and public services. Employers must comply with national statutes, collective labor agreements that may apply to their sector, and decisions of the competent authorities. Employees are protected against underpayment, unpaid overtime, and unlawful scheduling, and they have access to administrative and judicial remedies.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a wage and hour lawyer if you suspect you are being underpaid, if you work hours that are not recorded or compensated, or if you face irregular schedules that do not respect legal limits. Legal help is valuable when your employer fails to pay the statutory minimum wage or bonuses, misclassifies you as an independent contractor, applies unlawful salary deductions, or asks you to sign documents you do not understand. A lawyer can also assist when you work nights, Sundays, or public holidays without the required premiums, when you are denied paid annual leave, or when you are pressured to accept a change from full time to part time without consent. In seasonal sectors common in Arta such as agriculture and tourism, a lawyer can review fixed term contracts, repeated renewals, and end of season pay. If you consider filing a complaint with the labor inspectorate or a court claim for unpaid wages or overtime, counsel can assess evidence, deadlines, and the most efficient route to recover money owed.

Local Laws Overview

Minimum pay is set at national level. As of 2024 Greece maintains a statutory minimum monthly wage for employees and a daily minimum for workers, which are reviewed by the state. Sectoral or enterprise collective agreements may grant higher rates, allowances, or benefits. Seniority allowances and other increments may apply depending on government decisions and collective terms. Always verify the current rates at the time you read this, because they change periodically.

Working time is generally 40 hours per week. The usual daily limit on a five day schedule is 8 hours. Work performed beyond standard hours is regulated. Greek law distinguishes between additional hours beyond 40 within certain weekly limits and overtime beyond those limits. Overtime is subject to caps and declaration duties, and it triggers premium pay. Caps and premiums depend on the sector, applicable collective agreements, and current legislation. Night work and Sunday or public holiday work are restricted and usually attract supplemental pay.

Rest rights include daily rest and weekly rest periods in line with EU law. Employees are entitled to breaks during the working day and to paid annual leave that increases with service, subject to statutory floors and collective agreements. Public holidays are protected days with special pay rules for those who must work.

Recordkeeping is strict. Employers must register work schedules, changes, and overtime in the national ERGANI information system. Greece is rolling out the Digital Work Card, which records actual clock in and clock out times for covered sectors. Failure to register or pay hours worked can lead to fines and back pay liability.

Special categories of work are regulated. Part time, rotating shifts, split schedules, seasonal employment, and telework each have rules on consent, pay, and hours. Night workers, young workers, pregnant employees, and parents have additional protections. Misclassification is prohibited. If you are economically dependent and work under direction and control, you may be an employee regardless of the contract label.

Termination and changes to terms have wage implications. On termination, the employer must pay outstanding wages, unused leave pay, and other statutory sums. Unilateral reduction of hours or pay is restricted. Notice periods, severance, and time limits for claims are set by law. Limitation periods for wage claims are strict, and some claims have short deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage in Arta, Greece

Arta follows the national minimum wage set by the Greek government. There is a monthly minimum for employees and a daily minimum for workers. The rates are reviewed by the state and may be higher under a collective agreement covering your sector. Check the current official rate and your payslip to confirm compliance and whether any seniority or marital or child allowances apply under applicable terms.

How many hours can I be required to work

The standard full time schedule is 40 hours per week, typically 8 hours per day on a five day schedule. Hours beyond standard limits are regulated, require prior declaration in the ERGANI system, and trigger premium pay. Weekly and annual caps exist and vary by sector and current law. Daily and weekly rest must be respected, and employers cannot schedule excessive hours that breach legal limits even if you agree.

How is overtime paid

Additional hours beyond the standard schedule are compensated at higher rates according to law and any applicable collective agreement. There is a distinction between additional hours within a small weekly margin and overtime beyond that margin. Legal overtime generally requires prior notification and is paid with a premium. Work that exceeds the legal cap or is not properly declared still must be paid, and authorities can impose fines. Keep personal records of your hours in case the employer’s records are incomplete.

What are my rights for night, Sunday, and public holiday work

Night work is subject to special protection and premium pay. Work on Sundays or official public holidays is restricted to specific activities and requires premium pay or compensatory rest, as the case may be. Your contract and the applicable collective agreement may provide additional benefits. Employers must record and justify such work in ERGANI and, where applicable, via the Digital Work Card.

Can my employer switch me from full time to part time or change my schedule

Material changes to working time and pay generally require your consent unless a lawful managerial prerogative applies within the agreed framework. Part time or rotation schemes must be agreed in writing and declared. Unilateral changes that reduce your pay or hours can be unlawful. If the employer proposes a change, seek advice before signing, and verify that any new arrangement is filed with ERGANI.

What if I am not getting paid for all hours worked

Start by collecting evidence such as payslips, messages, schedules, and your own detailed log of start and end times. Ask in writing for a payroll correction. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, which can investigate and mediate. You may also pursue a civil claim to recover unpaid wages, overtime premiums, and statutory increases. Time limits apply, so act promptly.

How does the Digital Work Card and ERGANI affect me

Employers in covered sectors must register schedules and changes in ERGANI, and the Digital Work Card records real time attendance. This system is designed to protect employees by matching declared schedules to actual work. If the digital record differs from reality, raise the issue immediately, keep your own records, and consider contacting the Labor Inspectorate or a lawyer.

What annual leave am I entitled to

Paid annual leave accrues from the start of employment and increases with length of service, subject to statutory minimums and applicable collective agreements. Public holidays are separate from annual leave. On termination, any unused leave must be paid out. Employers must schedule leave in agreement with employees and cannot refuse statutory leave.

I am a seasonal or agricultural worker in Arta. Do different rules apply

Seasonal and agricultural work is recognized under Greek law. Fixed term contracts, repeated renewals, and end of season obligations are regulated. You are entitled to minimum wage compliance, correct recording of hours, premiums where applicable, and payment of accrued rights at the end of the contract. Even for piece rate or task based work, pay must meet statutory minimums when calculated against time worked.

What are the deadlines to bring wage claims

Limitation periods for wage and overtime claims are strict under Greek law. Many wage related claims must be filed within a period counted in years from when the wages became due, while some specific claims such as challenging certain termination related sums may have much shorter deadlines. Because the exact limit depends on the type of claim, consult a lawyer promptly to avoid losing rights.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. The national authority that handles wage and hour complaints, inspections, and mediation. It can summon employers, check records, and impose fines.

Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Issues decisions on minimum wage, working time rules, and the rollout of systems like ERGANI and the Digital Work Card.

ERGANI Information System. The platform where employers must register employment relationships, schedules, and overtime. Employees can request information about filings that concern them.

Unified Social Security Fund EFKA. Handles social insurance contributions and can provide records that help verify insured days and declared earnings.

Public Employment Service DYPA. Provides guidance on employment issues and benefits for unemployed or seasonal workers.

Organization for Mediation and Arbitration OMED. Involved in collective labor disputes and awards that may set sector specific terms including pay and hours.

Bar Association of Arta. Can help you identify local lawyers who focus on labor and employment law.

Greek Ombudsman. Can examine maladministration by public bodies that affects labor rights, such as delays in processing complaints.

Next Steps

Write down the facts. Note your hire date, job title, schedule, and a day by day record of hours worked for the disputed period. Keep copies of your contract, amendments, payslips, bank statements, messages, and any notices filed in ERGANI that you have received.

Ask for clarification in writing. Request a breakdown of your hours, rates, overtime, and any deductions. A written request often prompts correction and creates evidence for later use.

Check the applicable terms. Identify whether a sectoral or enterprise collective agreement applies to your job in Arta. This can affect pay scales, allowances, and scheduling rules.

Get legal advice early. A labor lawyer can evaluate the strength of your claim, calculate what you are owed, warn you about deadlines, and propose the best forum, whether the Labor Inspectorate process, negotiation, or a court claim.

Consider an administrative complaint. Filing with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate can lead to a compliance order or mediated settlement. Bring your evidence and be ready to describe your hours and duties clearly.

Prepare for enforcement. If informal resolution fails, your lawyer can file a claim for unpaid wages and overtime, seek precautionary measures, and pursue interest and statutory increases. Prompt action increases the likelihood of recovery.

Stay current. Minimum wage levels, overtime caps, and digital attendance rules are updated periodically. Confirm the current rules before making decisions.