Government sources point out that, in certain sectors of the Greek economy, there is an inability to attract labor from the unemployed, regardless of the salary offered.
Greece is one step away from signing the intergovernmental agreement to send workers from India.
The country with the largest population on the planet is settling the final details to proceed, if possible, with the signing of an intergovernmental agreement with Greece after the end of the summer.
The agreement will aim to address the huge problem of the lack of labor that plagues many sectors in our country by providing for the transfer of highly specialized workers to many sectors of the Greek economy (such as catering and tourism).
According to Proto Thema, India is interested – at least in the first phase – in sending approximately 50,000 skilled and unskilled workers per year within the framework of the intergovernmental agreement that is expected to be signed.
The Role of the Chamber
As the president of the Hellenic-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Economy, Angelos Tsavdaris, explained to Proto Thema, the Chamber is in advanced discussions with the Indian Ministry of Skill Development and Certification on how the transfer of workers will be carried out.
“Certainly,” he said, “although there is goodwill on both sides, this is not an easy undertaking. Details such as accommodation, the issuance of social security cards, training, and the assessment of the performance of the workers must be taken care of.”
For this reason, the Chamber has created the “Eutopia” program. As the president explains, this innovative initiative with private economic characteristics aims to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Greece in recruiting transferable workers.
The “Eutopia” program was designed to serve as a model for implementation in other European countries, enhancing transparency, legality, and labor rights.
“Attracting Indian workers fills critical gaps in the Greek labor market, mainly in agriculture, manufacturing and construction. At the same time, it strengthens the competitiveness of businesses and creates new jobs, maintaining social balance and economic progress,” said Tsavdaris.
“With the support of state and diplomatic bodies, the Chamber has built a reliable network of cooperation in Greece and India, ensuring the full legality, certification, and social integration of transferred workers. However, in order for the process to become more efficient and faster, interventions are required in the existing institutional framework, which often presents delays and does not meet the real needs of employers.”
Tsavdaris said, “We are committed to continuing our contribution to the formation of a modern and sustainable labor policy, based on respect for human values and the strengthening of the national economy,” explaining that “the Hellenic-Indian Chamber continues to play a pioneering role in the interconnection of Greece with India in the field of labor, mobility, and business development.”
“With over three years of active involvement in the organization and regulation of the procedures for the recruitment of migrant workers from India, it substantially contributes to creating a sustainable and humane work framework.”
The “Utopia” program of the Hellenic-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Economy has been in preparation for about two years and is in the final stages of completion. It aims to address the labor shortage in Greece’s agricultural and industrial production sectors.
It is designed with transparency and efficiency in mind and aims to ensure decent working and living conditions for workers while promoting the country’s economic development.
The program’s main objectives are to address the demand for labor by providing immediate solutions to the increased need for labor in the agricultural and industrial sectors and to create a reception network by establishing offices that will collect data on workers, conduct interviews, and mediate between employers and workers.
The objectives of the aforementioned program include ensuring rights to protect labor rights and provide healthcare, as well as ensuring decent pay and living conditions.
Government sources point out that certain sectors of the Greek economy are unable to attract labor from the unemployed, regardless of the salary offered.
In cases where such gaps are identified, workers from third countries are envisaged to be called in for specific specialties. The most indicative example is the agricultural sector, while corresponding shortages appear in other selected specialties. The scourge of labor shortages is expected to be relieved in these sectors.
The process is designed to proceed through interstate agreements, some already concluded and others under discussion with additional countries. The aim is to form an organized framework for importing labor adapted to the needs of the Greek market.
The issue was also raised during the official visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India when there was a first discussion about an agreement to send Indian farm workers to Greece in order to address the acute problem of a shortage of workers in the primary sector. The Greek-Indian agreement, which is currently under negotiation, is expected to become a model for future collaborations with other countries within the framework of a long-term plan for the sustainable strengthening of the human resources of the Greek economy.
The transfers
The transfer of highly qualified workers follows a special procedure. Employers submit requests to the competent Decentralized Administrations for specific specialties, and the Public Employment Service checks to determine the availability of domestic labor.
In addition, for workers in this category, it is stipulated that their remuneration cannot be less than 1.5 times the average gross annual salary, as calculated by the Hellenic Statistical Authority.
Aministerial decision of April 2023 for the period 2023–2024 approved 147,925 transfers of workers from third countries, with the vast majority concerning positions in the primary sector.
As Mr. Tsavdaris reports, the Chamber has reached an agreement with the state manpower offices for the promotion of workers in India. The workers will be certified and arrive in our country by registering at a specialized entry center outside Schengen.
From there, the Chamber will guide the workers to the employer, while coordination will occur regarding the issuance of a Social Security number and the issuance of a bank account where the employee’s wages will be paid.
“There are still details that we need to see, such as how the employee’s and employer’s behavior will be controlled so that the agreement is respected. There is also the issue of housing for the workers who will stay for at least one year in our country. That is why there is a thought about building worker housing centers on land that will be rented from the Greek Army.”
In the meantime, the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum’s electronic platform currently allows third-country citizens to submit applications for the granting or renewal of a residence permit.
The process includes the following steps:
– Registration on the Platform: Applicants must register on the platform and provide the necessary identification information. Adult third-country nationals, holders of a residence permit, are eligible to register, provided that one year has not passed since its expiration on the date of registration.
– Application submission: after registration, users can submit applications for:
Initial issuance of a residence permit.
Renewal of an existing residence permit.
Other applications and declarations related to their residence.
– Submission of supporting documents: when submitting the application, applicants must attach the required supporting documents in PDF format, according to the platform’s instructions.
Application progress tracking: Applicants can track the progress of their applications through the platform and receive notifications about the progress of the process.
Biometric data appointment: If required, the platform allows users to schedule an appointment to collect biometric data.
The electronic platform makes the application process more efficient and transparent, making it easier for third-country citizens to obtain or renew their residence permits in Greece.
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