A tripartite meeting between the Labour Ministry, employee representatives and Pizza Fan management was held today at the ministry.
The Labour Ministry said: “It was a constructive meeting with employee and company representatives to find the best possible solution. Dialogue is continuing. Protecting workers is the ministry’s priority.”
Speaking immediately after the meeting, George Stefanakis, president of the Athens Labour Centre and the Catering and Tourism Workers’ Union, said company representatives had pledged to pay all wages owed for October, as well as the pay due under the law for November because of the employer’s failure to provide work. He said the commitment covered both employees of the parent company and those working at franchise outlets.
Mr Stefanakis also said the company had pledged to safeguard all jobs and reinstate employees in their positions if it resumes operations.
Mr Stefanakis stressed that the aim was to fully secure employees’ social security and employment rights and permanently eliminate undeclared work.
Among other things, Mr Stefanakis said company representatives had asked for the partial release of its bank accounts, subject to its debts to the state being assessed first, arguing that this was a major obstacle to restarting its business.
George Hotzoglou, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in Food and Tourism, said the next 10 days would be particularly critical for developments. He added that the federation had already prepared draft legislation to submit to the Labour Ministry if the company could not resume operations.
He said another tripartite meeting was expected at the Labour Ministry next week and placed particular emphasis on protecting employees. In this context, Mr Hotzoglou urged all employees not to sign any document relating to their resignation, dismissal or a change to their contracts. He clarified that, in the event of dismissals, employees were entitled to the statutory severance pay provided for under labour law.
SOURCE: ANA