Kretsos, Lefteris

The findings of a 2005 study by the Labour Institute (INE) of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) reveal significant problems in Greece as regards the implementation of legislation on health and safety at work. Risk prevention measures and safety and health practices are being ignored, while levels of monitoring are also inadequate. Moreover, many workers and managers are unaware of the relevant legislation, which is outdated and excessively complex in many cases. Infringement of normal working hours and illegal and/or legal overtime, as well as tight deadlines, have increased the levels of accidents in the workplace in recent years. The report recommends financial incentives and penalties, in addition to awareness-raising campaigns, to ensure greater compliance with health and safety legislation.

The issues of non-standard forms of employment and labour flexibility have sparked controversy and remain central themes of management and public policy debate in Greece during the last two decades. Employers are demanding greater flexibility [1] in managing their workforce through relaxation of the current regulatory framework, which is considered too rigid and restrictive – particularly in respect of the determination of wages and working hours. [1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/flexibility

The findings of a 2005 study by the Labour Institute (INE) of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) reveal significant problems in Greece as regards the implementation of legislation on health and safety at work. Risk prevention measures and safety and health practices are being ignored, while levels of monitoring are also inadequate. Moreover, many workers and managers are unaware of the relevant legislation, which is outdated and excessively complex in many cases. Infringement of normal working hours and illegal and/or legal overtime, as well as tight deadlines, have increased the levels of accidents in the workplace in recent years. The report recommends financial incentives and penalties, in addition to awareness-raising campaigns, to ensure greater compliance with health and safety legislation.

The National Thematic Network on reconciliation of family and working life was set up in 2003 for the purpose of highlighting good practice developed after completion of national projects financed under the European Commission’s EQUAL Initiative [1]. The network aimed to further disseminate these practices to international organisations and agencies, and relate them directly to European developments. [1] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/equal/index_en.cfm

The Hellenic Sugar Industry S.A. (Ελληνική Βιομηχανία Ζάχαρης A.E., EBZ [1]) is the sole producer of sugar in Greece, and is also the country’s most important processor in the food industry. The company’s main activity is sugar manufacture and trading, as well as trading in sugar by-products. To this end, the company cooperates with around 20,000 sugar beet producers. It processes beet in its five manufacturing plants from mid-August until late November as part of an intensive production period that lasts around 100 days and involves the use of shift work over a 24-hour period. [1] http://www.ebz.gr/

The Institute of Labour’s (INE) 2006 Economic and Employment Outlook report – like the seven previous annual economic and employment outlooks – makes an important contribution to the public debate on labour market developments and industrial relations in Greece, as well as to the evolution of basic macroeconomic indicators such as labour productivity, wages, labour costs and investment. Researched over the course of the entire year, the report is compiled in the framework of the INE’s overall research and study activities. The results of the report were presented in early September 2006, coinciding with the opening address of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at the Helexpo International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki. The findings give advance notice of the general direction of government policy in relation to the economy and employment for the coming period; they also provide a frame of reference for the new national budget.

The skills issue is vital for increasing employment rates and combating unemployment, as set out in the objectives of the revised Lisbon Strategy [1]. According to a recent survey by the Federation of Greek Industries (SEV [2]) on companies’ needs for key skills in 2005–2007, the skills provided within the education system fall far short of those required. [1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/lisbon-strategy [2] http://www.fgi.org.gr

This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Greece during 2004.

This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Greece, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.

Since the completion of the works for the 2004 Olympic Games, the Greek construction industry has entered a period of decline. As a result, redundancies have started, and in early 2005 it has been reported that some 50,000 workers may lose their jobs. Concerns have also been raised about the consequences for employment conditions in the sector.