Greece
Background information on industrial relations in Greece
- 17 May 2012
Greece: Tackling the problem of undeclared workUndeclared work is a major issue affecting the Greek labour market. Significantly, two of the main causes – the extra wage costs of legitimate staff and protective labour laws – have significantly weakened in the last two years. A new framework for the Labour Inspection Body was adopted in mid 2011 to improve the effectiveness of labour market audits. Nonetheless, far from shrinking, the problem is in fact assuming alarming proportions in a growing recession.
- 24 Apr 2012
Greece: Greece: Employment and Industrial Relations in the Hotels and RestaurantsThe tourism sector (including the Hotels and Restaurants sector) is very important for the Greek economy. However a distinct feature of employment in the tourism sector is a high share of flexible forms of employment, reliance on seasonal work, variable working hours and a high share of migrant workers. Also, undeclared work is common in some parts of the sector.
- 23 Apr 2012
Greece: Greece: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the insurance sectorIn the Greek Insurance Sector, the main actors are the Hellenic Federation of Insurance Companies’ Employees Associations (ΟΑSΕ), the Hellenic Association of Insurance Companies (ΕΑΕΕ), the Hellenic Insurance Brokers Association (SEMA), and the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Insurance Agents (POAP). In 2009, a single Collective Employment Agreement (SSE) was concluded, covering all employees, except those in insurance agencies. A ruling by the Organisation for Mediation and Arbitration (OMED) gave similar working terms to insurance agencies employees (POAP) as to those working at SEMA. Both these SSEs were in force from 1 January, 2009 to 31 December, 2010.
- 27 Mar 2012
Greece: Greece: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the paper sectorThe paper sector in Greece employs a small share of the country’s total workforce. Over the last few years the sector has shrunk because of intense competition from other European firms, as well as the bigger mobilisation of Turkish enterprises of the sector in Greece. Most enterprises in the sector are small. The sector allocates an organisation of trade unions and one from the employers and it is characterized by smooth labour relations, given the fact that it is not presented the phenomenon of resort to the arbitration decisions. Nevertheless there is no permanent bipartite or tripartite body of social dialogue.
- 12 Mar 2012
Greece: Steelworkers’ strike continues into fifth monthThe steel workers’ strike at the Aspropyrgos plant of steel manufacturer Hellenic Halyvourgia is becoming entrenched, with workers now into their fourth month on the picket line. The strikers say they will not end their protest unless Hellenic Halyvourgia renstates 50 colleagues who were made redundant in October 2011. Management maintains that the loss-making plant can only continue to operate with fewer employees and shorter shifts for those that remain.
- 07 Mar 2012
Greece: Greece: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the sea fisheries sectorThe Greek fishing fleet has decreased since 2000, after the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy. More than 90% of the fleet comprise small-scale coastal fishing vessels. There are no collective agreements concluded in the sea fisheries’ sector in Greece – except for employment contracts concluded with Egyptian workers, which must be as favourable as the National Collective Employment Agreement. Egyptian workers need this contract in order to get a residence permit, as well as to be registered with the Agricultural Insurance Organization. Greek workers, however, do not enter into collective agreements and their pay is agreed by common consent of the fishermen.
- 04 Jan 2012
Greece: Employers join mass turnout at national strikeHundreds of thousands of protesters, including employers, took part in a national 48-hour strike organised by the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Civil Servants (ADEDY) on 19 and 20 October. The strikers, from both public and private sectors, were protesting against a draft law by the Ministry of Finance. It includes cuts in pay, jobs and pensions, and has been brought in as part of Greek’s financial bail-out deal with the EU, IMF and ECB.