Violations of labour regulations on increase in Greek businesses

Download article in original language : GR9711143NEL.DOC

In late 1997, a number of reports have revealed a large number of infringements of social security and labour regulations in Greek businesses, once again highlighting serious problems including uninsured labour, illegal employment and breach of collective agreements.

Two recent reports on infringements of labour regulations refer to the results of surprise inspections of enterprises in Athens and surrounding district and in the regions. The first report deals with an inspection carried out in mid-September 1997 in the Peristeri and Edessa areas by the National Workers' Inspection Service, the relevant division of the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA). Out of a sample of 751 workers, some 413 (55%) were found to be uninsured and working for much less than the minimum wage laid down under the National General Collective Agreement (EGSSE). They had no medical coverage nor were they covered by normal workers' rights.

The second report centres on a series of inspections carried out by the Labour Centre in the Drama Prefecture. According to the results of inspections carried out between 17 July and 3 September 1997, numerous labour violations were noted in 30 enterprises in the Prefecture. The relevant agencies - Ministry of Labour, IKA and Labour Force Employment Organisation (OAED) - were duly informed. Listed among the chief violations were non-implementation of collective agreements and labour legislation (on working time and overtime), illegal employment of foreign workers and failure to pay workers' social security contributions. Workers were even found for whom recruitment dates had not been declared.

A further report contains data released by the Legal Office of the Athens Labour Centre (EKA) after approximately 1,500 cases had been registered. The results may be categorised as follows:

• 23% of complaints regard general questions, particularly trade union and pension rights, character defamation and violation of working hours;

• 21% regard breaches of collective labour agreements, particularly violation of working hours, breach of contract and legislation on the provision of special benefits, non-issuance of licences and injurious changes to working conditions;

• 18% regard non-payment of wages;.

• 15% regard dismissals, especially mass dismissals and dismissals without compensation;

• 12% regard matters of health and safety at the workplace; and

• 11% regard lack of insurance.

Although the sample is not representative, it is nevertheless indicative of the poor performance of control mechanisms in Greece, in particular labour inspections. That is why EKA and labour centres in other parts of Greece have written a letter to the relevant agencies and the Prime Minister asking for labour inspectorates to be reactivated and reinforced. Following their transfer to the Prefectural Administration, they have been underperforming and are often completely absent from the workplace.