August 15th: How those who work will be paid – 2024-08-10 08:10:56

August 15th is a statutory holiday. On mandatory holidays, the employment of employees and the operation of businesses are prohibited, except for those that legally operate on Sundays and during mandatory holidays.

GSEE, through the Confederation’s Workers & Unemployed Information Center (KEPEA/GSEE), www.kepea.gr informs private sector employees about the pay method for the 15th of August.

For businesses that don’t work

In businesses that are not operating, the usual daily wage is paid without any surcharge to those who are paid a daily wage, while those who are paid a salary are paid their monthly salary.

For businesses that operate legally

The employees who will be employed are entitled to:

1. if they are paid on a daily basis, their usual daily wage and a 75% surcharge which will be calculated on their statutory hourly wage for all hours worked
2. in the event that employees are paid a monthly salary:
   a) if it concerns businesses that are late on Sundays and public holidays and will be operating on August 15th, 1/25 of their normally paid salary is due and an additional 75% surcharge on the legal daily wage for all hours worked
   b) if it concerns businesses that legally operate on Sundays and other statutory holidays, only a 75% surcharge is due, which is calculated at 1/25 of their legal daily wage for as many hours as they are employed.

In addition, employees should be aware that:

• It is not legal to set off a day off with a mandatory holiday.
• Employees who are on leave are also entitled to the salary of August 15th, but this day is not counted among the working days of their leave.
• In the event that more favorable terms apply (e.g. from the Collective Labor Agreement, Labor Regulations, business custom or custom) regarding the pay increases for work on a mandatory holiday or Sunday, these prevail.