The expansion of the rights of self-employed workers, particularly concerning paid parental leave and benefits for occupational injuries, is considered a given.
The relevant bill, preceded by social dialogue, was examined yesterday by the Labor Committee of the Parliament, without any disagreements in this direction, and it is considered certain that it will easily pass through the Plenum of the Parliament when it is presented.
However, as observed yesterday, beyond amending the Social Insurance Law and amending the Law on Leaves (Paternity, Parental, Care, Violence) and Flexible Employment Arrangements for the Balance between Professional and Private Life Law for this development, it will also require, as the ministry agrees with the observation made, a second bill to be submitted to the Parliament in order to enable the provision of paid, that is, with the provision of an allowance, parental leave to self-employed workers, which is also our commitment based on the Recovery and Resilience Plan we submitted to the EU.
However, there were also comments yesterday from the PEVEK that self-employed workers continue to have fewer rights than employees, as they still do not qualify for unemployment benefits, have different treatment for leave and sickness benefits, and are not covered by the ANAD training programs, with PEVEK even stating that it does not disagree with an increase in contributions for the payment of the ANAD fee, so that self-employed workers are also entitled to training.
The Director of Social Insurance Services undertook to convey this position regarding the ANAD to the Ministry of Labor, but for the issue of unemployment, she explained that the matter was examined and cannot be easily regulated without an increase in contributions for the self-employed.
The Labor Committee also examined yesterday a bill proposal by AKEL for the extension of the period within which the right to parental leave can be exercised, until the fifteenth (15th) year of the child instead of until the eighth (8th) year of the child, as it is based on the provisions of the existing legislation today.
For this particular issue, all invited expressed their support for such a development.
However, since the government also expressed an intention for changes on the issue, it was decided to give the executive authority about three months approximately, to clarify its additions and to submit a relevant bill that will also address any constitutional issues.