The SSSH union federation supports the possibility for employers to organise teleworking in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus provided that workers consent to remote work and expenses arising from working from home are covered by employers.

SSSH said in a press release that it supports a decision by the national COVID response team which entered into force on Tuesday related to working from home which would reduce contacts and circulation of the population in public transport in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and avoid a new lockdown.

“However, that decision entirely ignores contractual relations and the rights of the other side, workers,” SSSH said.

Against a backdrop of the unfavourable experiences in the pandemic thus far, the union federation calls on the government and employers to respect the valid legal framework which foresees contracts for that type of work aimed at protecting workers and providing justified allowances to cover the costs that may result while working from home.

Having in mind the new legislative solutions that are being prepared, SSSH underscores that working from home must always be voluntary, it has to be agreed to mutually and it must ensure the necessary resources for employees to be able to work from home.

It also has to be reversible, allowing the worker to return to the workplace which ensures work safety standards.

It is also necessary to ensure a better organisation of working hours so that workers have the right to a daily break and weekly rest, for overtime to be adequately paid, and the right to be unavailable outside working hours.

Employers do not have the right to pass on the cost of their business operations on workers and their families, said SSSH.