Digital Employee Card in tourism and food & beverage industry at the end of 2024

According to the Minister of Labor, at the end of 2024, the Digital Employee Card will be implemented in the tourism and food & beverage industries, while its implementation in retail and manufacturing will begin on the first day of the year. A ministerial order has already been issued setting out the terms and conditions, as well as the implementation process for retail and manufacturing.

As already decided, the Digital Employee Card will be introduced to retail and manufacturing from January 1st, 2024. According to official statements, a ministerial order has been issued setting out the terms and way it will be implemented in retail and manufacturing, to provide a clear framework. This means that all businesses in the retail sector must have a Digital Employee Card, and this applies to everyone with an employee that must necessarily have a Digital Employee Card. Employees can now download an app on their mobile phone, while businesses can install the app on a computer, tablet, or other similar device.

For the tourism industry, the government postponed the implementation of the Digital Employee Card for the end of the new year, so that the 2023 tourist season can run smoothly, and to avoid creating problems for businesses operating in this industry during this time. It should be reminded that the measure aims at limiting unpaid overtime and recording extra time. In addition, the use of the digital card facilitates the work of the Independent Labor Inspection Authority. If undeclared work is detected, the penalty amounts to €10,500 per employee.

Based on the available official figures so far, irregularities have been found both by businesses and by employees, with a few minutes’ delay at the start or end of the shift. To avoid imposing fines without a substantial reason (e.g., entering the workplace five minutes before the predetermined working schedule), the government is contemplating updating the ministerial order, adding a special clause that will provide employers with more time to notify Ergani. The current time limit is 15 minutes, and the extension under consideration is for 45 minutes. As a result, there will be greater tolerance for starting, ending, and leaving the workplace, so it will be easier for businesses to then send the data to Ergani.