The Ministry of Finance has revised its remote work bill for the public sector to address concerns regarding responsibility for safety and health in case of accidents during remote work.
During the previous discussion of the bill in the parliamentary Finance Committee, the question of who bears responsibility for employee safety and health during remote working—either the employer or the employee—remained unresolved.
According to the revised bill, employees will be required to ensure their telework space is suitable for the unhindered and effective performance of their duties, as specified by forthcoming guidelines.
The provision requiring appropriate instructions to employees on preventive and protective measures to reduce or eliminate risks during telework has been removed from the bill.
Instead, the Ministry of Finance will issue comprehensive guidelines for the effective implementation of telework, which will include instructions for employees on taking preventive and protective measures to reduce and eliminate risks.
As previously stated in Parliament, employees must have an appropriate space for telework, and they will receive detailed guidance regarding safety and health to prevent accidents.
In a letter to members of the Finance Committee, Data Protection Commissioner Maria Christofidou expressed agreement with the bill’s revision.
She also noted that consultation with the Department of Public Administration and Personnel regarding the telework manual has progressed, and an impact assessment on data protection based on European regulations is being prepared.
On Monday, regulations for extending flexible working hours and reducing working hours for specific civil servants will also be presented to the Finance Committee.
These three measures fall under flexible working arrangements aimed at balancing professional and family life. The reduced schedule will decrease working time by between one and a half to two hours per day, with eligibility based on specific criteria.
Eligible employees include parents of children up to 15 years old, caregivers providing personal care or support to a relative or person living in the same household who needs care due to health problems, and employees with disabilities or serious health issues.
Those working reduced hours will receive proportionally reduced salaries and thirteenth-month payments.
Finally, flexible working hours will be extended from the current one and a half hours to two hours, with the schedule set at 7:00 a.m./9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m./4:30 p.m.
The legislation is expected to be brought to the plenary session this month, as it is included in the prerequisites of the Recovery Plan for the disbursement of the next installment.
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