Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Greece (Ratification: 1984)

1. Article 1, paragraph 1(a), of the Convention. Discrimination on the ground of sex. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that efforts are under way to harmonize national law with the provisions of European Union Directive 2002/73/EC amending Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions. Recalling point 1 of its previous direct request, the Committee notes that this legislative initiative is also intended to include provisions on sexual harassment. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in adopting legislative amendments concerning gender equality in employment and occupation, including provisions on sexual harassment. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on any practical measures taken by it or the social partners to address and eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace.

2. Article 2. Measures to promote equality of opportunity and treatment irrespective of race, national extraction and religion. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government on the different programmes pursued to promote access to education, vocational training, and employment of persons belonging to vulnerable social groups that are particularly affected by unemployment, including the Roma and the Muslim minority of Thrace. It particularly notes the Government’s indication that an “integrated intervention in favour of persons belonging to cultural and religious groups” is being implemented which is expected to cover a total of 1,880 persons belonging to the Roma and Muslim communities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the measures taken to promote the access of ethnic and religious minorities, including the Roma and the Muslim minority of Thrace, to vocational training and employment. Drawing the Government’s attention to the need to monitor the impact of these programmes on a continuing basis, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide indications on the number of persons from these groups that have benefited from the various measures, as well as on the number of persons concerned that have successfully been integrated into the labour market. Finally, the Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to combat racism and racial discrimination in the world of work.

3. Article 3(a). Cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations and other appropriate bodies. The Committee notes that a national coordinating team has been set up in the context of the European anti-discrimination campaign, which includes representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations, as well as NGOs. The team has developed a national action plan against discrimination. The Committee also notes that the Economic and Social Committee is mandated under section 18 of Law No. 3304/2005 to issue an annual equal treatment report and to make proposals to the Government and social partners concerning non-discrimination. The Committee requests the Government: (1) to continue to provide information on the activities undertaken under the auspices of the national coordinating team with a view to combating discrimination in employment and occupation; (2) to provide information on the work of the Economic and Social Committee relevant to the application of the Convention, including a copy of its first annual report on equal treatment and any recommendations made concerning equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation; and (3) to supply information on any other initiatives promoting the application of the Convention through tripartite or bipartite cooperation.