Labour law

Bulgaria, part of the EU for nearly two decades, showcases a unique work-rest balance. Despite working more than the EU average, Bulgarians enjoy an average of 36 days off when national holidays are factored in, akin to Austria and Finland.

The intervention attempted in the taxation of freelancers and the self-employed could find resistance everywhere: Those affected may consider it too high, while salaried employees, who are not able to hide their income, may consider it cowardly, as the income that the self-employed are required to declare is placed at the minimum wage level.

The government announced on Tuesday that as of this year self-employed professionals will be presumed to earn a minimum of 10,920 euros, which under certain conditions will reach €50,000, and will be taxed accordingly through the declarations to be submitted in 2024.

The minimum wage in Croatia will increase by 20% from the New Year - the first increase since the country adopted the euro as its main currency at the start of the year.

The government in Zagreb decided on Wednesday that the minimum monthly salary for 2024 will be 840 euros gross and 677 euros net.

Online gig work is growing globally, particularly in the developing world, creating an important source of employment for women and young people in poorer countries where jobs are scarce, according to a World Bank report released Thursday. 

The Greek labor market showed strong resistance in July, as although the end of the school term and classes in private education resulted in the loss of 25,867 jobs in the sector and a total of 8,294 jobs across the economy, in the seven months of January to July a historic record was set with regard to hiring versus layoffs, with the creation of 296,624 new jobs.

Private companies whose premises were fully or partially destroyed in wildfires can suspend employment contracts with their employees while workplaces are being repaired, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security has said, noting that the suspensions cannot last more than three months.

Metro and tram workers in the western province of İzmir on July 31 went on strike as the negotiations between the municipality and the unions over a new wage increase failed to reach an agreement.

A pilot program to transfer unemployed workers to areas they are needed during winter will be introduced by DYPA, the Greek employment agency, Labor and Social Insurance Minister Adonis Georgiadis said on Open TV on Monday.

The national Employment Service has poured cold water on the notion promulgated by business that there is not enough labour available in Balkan countries to meet Slovenia's growing labour needs, but it suggested companies need to be more proactive in recruitment and offer better pay.