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Greece

Background information on industrial relations in Greece

• 28 Dec 1999
  Greece: Organising committee seeks industrial peace for 2004 Olympic Games

  Athens is to stage the Olympic Games in 2004. In November 1999, Greece's Olympic Games Organising Committee appealed to the country's trade unions for "industrial peace" between employers and workers before and during the Games.

• 28 Dec 1999
  Greece: Study examines workplace health, safety and working conditions

  In November 1999, the Institute for Health, Safety and Working Conditions (IYASE) presented the results of a study on developments in health, safety and working conditions in Greece over the past 20 years. It finds that there is a considerable shortage of data on workplace-level developments, and that - while there have been improvements, especially in larger firms - new legislation and institutions have not solved the problems.

• 28 Dec 1999
  Greece: 1999 Annual Review for Greece

  This record reviews 1999's main developments in industrial relations in Greece

• 28 Nov 1999
  Greece: New law on collective bargaining in public administration

  A new law published in September 1999 means that, for the first time, Greece's public servants have a right to negotiate their terms and conditions of employment and to conclude collective agreements. However, pay and pensions are excluded from formal bargaining, a point which has caused some disagreement within the ADEDY public sector trade union confederation.

• 28 Nov 1999
  Greece: ECJ decision revives issue of family benefits for both spouses

  The fact that both spouses do not have equal entitlement to family and marriage benefits is a matter of long-standing controversy in Greece. A decision issued in October 1999 by the European Court of Justice has revived the issue, ruling that family benefits form part of remuneration and are thus subject to EU equal pay rules. The government is concerned about the cost of paying full benefits to both spouses, while the ADEDY public sector trade union confederation is calling for action.

• 28 Oct 1999
  Greece: Bill on introduction of 35-hour week rejected

  The introduction of a 35-hour working week occupies a prominent and controversial place on the Greek industrial relations agenda in autumn 1999. As well as discussions within the national social dialogue process and collective agreements at sector and company levels, a bill on the issue was submitted and discussed in parliament in September 1999, though without reaching a positive conclusion.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Greece: GSEE presents positions on pensions

  In early September 1999, the General Confederation of Greek Labour (GSEE) presented its positions on pensions. The trade unions downplay the importance of demographic trends, taken alone, and stress the importance of economic policy and renewal of the labour force.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Greece: GSEE proposes unemployment benefit increase

  In September 1999, Greece's GSEE trade union confederation presented a proposal calling for higher unemployment benefits. Despite legislative provisions that the daily rate of benefit should not fall below two-thirds of the average level of unskilled workers' wages, it is now worth less than half.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Greece: EKA demands additional measures for earthquake victims

  In view of the powerful earthquake that struck Athens on 7 September 1999, the Athens Labour Centre (EKA) has asked the government to take immediate steps to provide relief for victims' families as well as the homeless.

• 28 Aug 1999
  Greece: Institute of Labour issues report on the economy and employment

  In September 1999, the Institute of Labour of Greece's GSEE and the ADEDY trade union confederations issues its firstAnnual economic and employment outlook. Such reports have long been produced by employers, the central bank and the Ministry of National Economy. The report finds that Greece is very likely to meet the nominal convergence conditions for EMU membership on 1 January 2001, while real convergence is being achieved thanks to an effective policy of demand management. However, despite rapid economic and employment growth, the unemployment rate is rising.

• 28 Aug 1999
  Greece: OTOE accuses two banks of violation of working and banking hours

  In July 1999, following earlier allegations of violations of working and banking hours in Greek banks, the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) lodged a complaint with the Labour Inspectorate against EUROBANK and ASPIS Bank.

• 28 Aug 1999
  Greece: Joint committee studies reduction of working time

  At the end of July 1999, a second bargaining session was held between representatives of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and of employers' organisations, for the purpose of discussing a reduction of the working week to 35 hours without loss of pay. The parties agreed to set up a joint committee to consider the matter.

• 28 Aug 1999
  Greece: Measures to protect workers during heatwaves

  As Greece endured a heatwave during August 1999, the GSEE trade union confederation issued guidance on the measures which must be taken to combat heat exhaustion among workers, while the construction workers' union issued its own special recommendations.

• 28 Aug 1999
  Greece: Presidential decree protects workers in case of their employer's insolvency

  In July 1999, the Greek government issued a Presidential Decree aimed at bringing Greek law fully into line with EU law regarding the protection of employees in the event of the employer's insolvency.

• 28 Jul 1999
  Greece: Wages, competitiveness and unemployment analysed

  In June 1999, the Institute of Labour of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (INE-GSEE) published a study examining the prevalent orthodox thinking in Greece that increases in real wages reduce profitability, investments, employment and competitiveness. The study claims that this belief is not borne out by the statistical data for Greece.

• 28 Jul 1999
  Greece: GSEE rejects IMF wage cut proposal

  In June 1999, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) expressed its total opposition to proposals from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce the wages of new entrants to the labour market and to cut labour costs.

• 28 Jul 1999
  Greece: Unions in favour of Tobin tax

  In June 1999, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) officially adopted a position in favour of applying a "Tobin tax" to short-term capital movements.

• 28 Jul 1999
  Greece: Collective redundancies rules to be harmonised with Community law

  A bill submitted by the Greek government in June 1999 will place further restrictions on collective redundancies by enterprises in the private sector, in line with Community law.

• 28 Jul 1999
  Greece: Substantial rise in unemployment - GSEE seeks emergency measures

  Following the publication of statistics indicating a sharp rise in unemployment in Greece, and government analyses of the connection between unemployment and the increased presence of immigrants, the GSEE trade union confederation has reiterated its positions on addressing rising unemployment and on dealing with economic immigrants.

• 28 Jun 1999
  Greece: Social partners present proposals on 1999 NAP

  In May 1999, in response to a request from the Greek government, representatives of trade unions and employers' organisations lodged their proposals for the 1999 National Action Plan (NAP) on employment to implement the EU Employment Guidelines. Here we focus on the proposals aimed at encouraging the adaptability of businesses and their employees.

• 28 Jun 1999
  Greece: NAP's industrial relations provisions reviewed

  In May 1999, the Greek government submitted its 1999 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment, in response to the EU Employment Guidelines. With regard to industrial relations, and in particular measures aimed at modernisation of work organisation, strong emphasis is laid on labour market and working time flexibility.

• 28 Jun 1999
  Greece: New banking agreement introduces pilot 35-hour week

  In late May 1999, after four months of difficult bargaining, a new sectoral collective agreement was signed regulating pay and working conditions for employees in banks throughout Greece for the years 1999 and 2000. The new agreement, which is regarded as one of the most important of recent years, introduces for the first time the pilot implementation of a 35-hour working week in banks.

• 28 Jun 1999
  Greece: New collective agreement signed for Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation

  On 10 June 1999, a new enterprise-level collective agreement was signed for workers at the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE). The deal provides for a new pay scale and new staff regulations, as well as the pilot implementation of a 35-hour working week without loss of pay.

• 28 Jun 1999
  Greece: Public power corporation agreement signed for 1999-2000

  In June 1999, an enterprise-level collective agreement for 1999-2000 was signed by the management of the Public Power Corporation (DEI) and the DEI General Staff Federation (GENOP-DEI). Among other provisions, the accord provides for job security in the current reorganisation and deregulation of the electricity market.

• 28 Jun 1999
  Greece: Temporary employment increases

  Temporary employment is increasing significantly in Greece, and now constitutes the basic form of employment for many workers, according to data published in June 1999 by the Institute of Labour of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (INE/GSEE).

• 28 May 1999
  Greece: Union examines EMU, employment and industrial relations in banking

  EMU membership will mean that employment will decline in Greek banking and that the sector's industrial relations will need to be altered in the direction of a consultative model. These are the conclusions of a study completed in April 1999 by the Institute of Labour of the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE).

• 28 May 1999
  Greece: New technologies, employment and skills in the fertiliser industry

  The Institute of Labour of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (INE/GSEE) presented a survey on "technological changes in jobs and skills in the Greek fertiliser industry" in March 1999. We summarise the key results of the survey, mainly as regards the characteristics of work in the industry, the relationships between technological changes and changes in work organisation, and between skills, education and training.

• 28 May 1999
  Greece: Retirement age raised for women

  In a May 1999 ruling, Greece's Supreme Court found that different retirement ages for women and men are discriminatory and ruled that women must retire at the same age as men (65). The effect is to raise women's retirement age by up to seven years, and the GSEE trade union confederation is opposed to any such increase.

• 28 May 1999
  Greece: New collective agreement for notary office workers

  A national occupational collective agreement on pay and working conditions for workers in Greek notary offices was concluded in April 1999. The deal provides for particularly favourable working conditions, mainly as regards terms and conditions such as annual leave and time off for childcare.

• 28 May 1999
  Greece: More leave for civil servants

  Late April 1999 saw the introduction of a new regulatory framework governing the leave of permanent civil servants and staff of local authorities in Greece. The effect is to provide for more leave, including extended annual holidays and the introduction, extension or legislative confirmation of a variety of types of leave related to specific circumstances (such as weddings, sickness or court appearances).

• 28 Apr 1999
  Greece: Study on collective redundancies

  Greece's legislative framework for collective redundancies, and in particular the system of administrative intervention in the redundancies procedure, have not been notably effective and have no real protective value for workers. The relevant legislation should be amended, notably to bring it into line with developments in European Community law. These are among the findings of an extensive study of the current collective redundancies framework in Greece and its effectiveness in practice, conducted as part of the research activity of the National Labour Institute (EIE) and completed in March 1999.

• 28 Apr 1999
  Greece: Trolley bus workers strike

  In early March 1999, the trade union representing workers at Athens-Piraeus Area Trolley Buses (ILPAP) launched a programme of strike action directed mainly against the publicly-owned company's new general staff regulations, and calling for the retraction of management circulars and orders, allegedly seeking to do away with existing industrial relations practices. ILPAP management has rejected the union's claims and has taken legal action against it, demanding that the strikes be declared illegal and unjustified.

• 28 Apr 1999
  Greece: Employers propose pilot implementation of 35-hour week in banking

  After several weeks of hard bargaining, conditions were still not right in April 1999 for the conclusion of a new collective agreement in the Greek banking sector. The employers' side proposed the pilot implementation of a 35-hour working week as a counter to the trade union demand for general implementation of the 35-hour week without loss of pay.

• 28 Apr 1999
  Greece: Greek social partners react to Yugoslavia conflict

  On 2 April 1999, Greek trade unions (GSEE and ADEDY) and employers' organisations (GSEVEE and ESEE) organised an unprecedented joint action against the war in Yugoslavia, including a two-hour work stoppage. Meanwhile, GSEE took international-level initiatives aimed at finding a solution and ending the military intervention.

• 28 Mar 1999
  Greece: Union fights breaches of working time regulations in banking

  Over early 1999, the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) has given top priority to the perceived problem of breaches of contractual working time rules, along with violations of labour legislation and collective agreements, by banking employers. The union has called on the authorities to act and has taken joint action with the GSEE union confederation.

• 28 Mar 1999
  Greece: OTOE presents demands for new banking agreement

  In March 1999, the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) and the Association of Greek Banks held a first meeting to discuss a new sectoral collective agreement to regulate the pay and conditions of workers in banks and similar enterprises for 1999.

• 28 Mar 1999
  Greece: GSEE abstains from social dialogue on taxation

  In February 1999, the GSEE trade union confederation announced that it would not participate in a process of social dialogue on tax reform, organised by the Greek government. However, the decision was only narrowly approved by the GSEE leadership.

• 28 Mar 1999
  Greece: Nationwide construction workers' strike

  On 17 March 1999, a well-supported one-day nationwide strike was held by trade unions representing Greek construction workers. The unions' demands centred on the calculation of social insurance contributions, violations of labour legislation and housing issues.

• 28 Mar 1999
  Greece: Packaging company attempts to introduce rotating employment

  In March 1999, the VIS packaging company, based in the Greek town of Volos, announced to its workers its decision to introduce a system of "rotating employment" - ie temporarily placing workers on short-term work. The workers rejected the decision and proceeded to call for industrial action.

• 28 Feb 1999
  Greece: Telecommunications workers make demands for new collective agreement

  In February 1999, the OME-OTE telecommunications workers union announced to the government and the OTE telecoms operator that it was seeking negotiations over a new company collective agreement at OTE. The union's demands cover economic and institutional issues, and for the first time officially contain a claim for a reduction of working time without loss of pay.

• 28 Feb 1999
  Greece: Intracom announces 35-hour week

  In January 1999 it was announced that a 35-hour working week would be introduced at Intracom, Greece's leading telecommunications and information technology company.

• 28 Feb 1999
  Greece: Employers reply to GSEE call for 35-hour week talks

  In January 1999, Greece's main employers' organisations - SEV, GSEVEE and ESEE - replied to an invitation from the GSEE trade union confederation to enter negotiations on the introduction of a 35-hour working week. The employers are willing to enter a dialogue but remain opposed to any reduction in working time

• 28 Feb 1999
  Greece: Ministry seeks to improve collection of workplace health and safety data

  In January 1999, Greece's Ministry of Labour and Social Security sent an urgent circular on health and safety and risk assessment to all Prefectures. The aim is to address the current lack of statistical data on workplace health and safety.

• 28 Jan 1999
  Greece: New law provides framework for local employment agreements

  Since September 1998, a legislative framework has been in place in Greece for the conclusion of "local employment agreements" (TSAs). These local development and employment initiatives may include labour clauses, governing minimum pay and conditions for the staff employed to carry out the work or activities which the agreements create.

• 28 Jan 1999
  Greece: Pioneering trade union initiative on forest conservation

  In January 1999, the Athens Labour Centre held a seminar on the conservation of Attica's forests. This environmental initiative is the first such action undertaken by a Greek trade union organisation

• 28 Jan 1999
  Greece: Unions revive issue of 35-hour week without a reduction in pay

  On 11 January 1999, Greece's GSEE trade union confederation invited employers' organisations to begin negotiations on the introduction of a 35-hour working week without a reduction in pay in the private sector. The invitation was also communicated to the Speaker of parliament and the competent ministries.