From November 3, 2025, the full application of the Digital Work Card is extended to four additional sectors of the economy: wholesale trade, energy, financial companies, as well as administrative and support activities in tourism.

This expansion is part of the wider planning of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for its universal application in the private sector.

The aim is to protect workers’ rights, strengthen healthy competition between businesses and promote transparency in labor inspections.

The safety net is widening

Already, with the use of the Digital Work Card, 1,500,000 workers are protected, who are employed in banks, supermarkets, insurance companies, security companies, DEKO, industry, retail, tourism and restaurants.

With the full implementation of the measure in all four new sectors, the total number of workers covered by the Card will approach approximately 1,850,000.

At the same time, the number of integrated businesses is expected to exceed 280,000.

Recorded overtime increases

According to the figures of the Ministry of Labor for the first eight months of 2025, recorded overtime in the sectors where the Digital Labor Card is applied appear increased by 76% compared to the corresponding period of 2024.

In total, more than 4.2 million overtime hours have been reported within 2025, which corresponds to an increase of 1.8 million hours compared to the first eight months of 2024.
In relation to the month of August 2025, overtime reported increased by 62% compared to the corresponding month in 2024. The biggest increase was in the tourism industry, with an increase of 681% on an eight-month basis and by 573% in the month of August. This is followed by the catering sector, where the increase reached 181% during the first eight months of 2025 and 295% during August.

Also, based on the data, the increase remains particularly significant in the other employment sectors where the Digital Work Card was compulsorily included:

  • Retail: +94% in the first eight months of the current year and about +52% in August.
  • Industry: +55% on an eight-month basis and approximately +8% during the month of August.

The role of the Digital Job Card

As relevant officials of the ministry point out, “the Digital Work Card is a useful tool for accurately recording the actual working time of employees, ensuring their corresponding and legal remuneration.

Its implementation contributes decisively to combating declared and undeclared work, as well as to tackling tax evasion.

In addition, its adoption protects the rights of workers and strengthens the healthy business environment, preventing unfair competition and violations of labor law.

The Digital Labor Card functions as a fundamental mechanism of supervision and control of the labor market, facilitating the work of the competent authorities and promoting transparency for the benefit of workers, employers and the economy as a whole.”

Speaking to APE-MPE, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, states:

“The Digital Work Card ensures that every hour of work is recorded and paid for, enhancing worker protection and healthy competition between businesses. As of November 3, the wholesale, energy, financial companies, as well as administrative and support activities in tourism are fully included in it.

“The measure will now cover 1,850,000 workers and 280,000 businesses.

»The significant increase in recorded overtime by 3.5 million hours proves in practice that the measure is working. Undeclared and undeclared work are increasingly curtailed, workers are paid fairly and consistent employers are protected from unfair competition.”