On September 12th, the Parliamentary Labor Committee reconvenes to assess a revised teleworking bill. This comes in response to concerns raised by the Commissioner for Personal Data and parliament members.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Labor Committee, Andreas Kaukalias, confirmed that the Ministry of Labor has made crucial revisions to the bill. This includes issues related to the protection of workers' personal data and privacy. The amendments also encompass improvements for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

While Mr. Kaukalias believes the revised proposal is superior to its predecessor, he pointed out some unresolved issues. Among them are the workers' right to disconnect, compensation for teleworking expenses, and health and safety concerns, which will be further clarified through a ministerial decree.

Today's session will see a reevaluation of these matters. Additionally, the committee is keen on receiving feedback from social partners on the recent amendments.

It's pertinent to highlight that employers' associations urge caution, suggesting that the government should first consider upcoming European guidelines on teleworking.

Notably, this bill, if passed, will solely cater to the private sector, leaving the public sector waiting for its legislative framework. The government has hinted at a separate draft for the public sector, which may come to fruition in 2024.