Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Greece (Ratification: 1987)

Article 2 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of policy on nursing service and personnel. The Committee understands that in the context of ongoing austerity measures, various measures are contemplated or have been taken in the health-care sector. It notes that the Government signed an agreement last year with the World Health Organization to implement the health reform support programme for 2013–15, aimed at the realization of, among others, a sustainable and equitable health system and quality care, especially primary health care. It also understands that a national health strategy is being developed. The Committee requests the Government to provide details on these developments, in particular information on the measures taken and results achieved with respect to the components of the abovementioned health reform support programme 2013–15. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the national health strategy once it is adopted, and to provide information on the activities for nursing personnel and their results. The Committee also understands that a bill concerning a reform in primary health care was submitted to the Parliament, which includes the reform of the National Organization for Health Care (EOPYY). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the contents of this bill and on any developments made in its adoption and its implementation, especially with respect to nursing personnel.

More generally, the Committee requests the Government to explain how these policies and programmes are formulated in consultation and coordination with relevant employers’ and workers’ organizations and professional associations, as required under paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article of the Convention.

As regards the issue of shortage of qualified nurses, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning “exclusive” nurses, in particular its reference to the Decision of the Minister of Health and Social Solidarity No. Y4a/oik.37804/25-4-2013 concerning the selection and management of private, including “exclusive”, nurses, and to the Decision of the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of Employment of Social Protection No. 49556/2374/2008 providing for the minimum wages for private nurses. The Committee is of the view that in the context of continuing shortage of nurses in Greece, it is essential to maintain fair and transparent recruiting processes of nursing personnel, and the system of education and training and employment and working conditions for nurses, which are likely to attract persons to the profession and retain them in it, as provided in paragraph 2 of this Article of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning the current composition of the nursing staff, including the number of graduates in nursing of the technological educational institutes who enter the nursing profession each year, and the number of nursing personnel broken down by those working at public and private health-care establishments and “exclusive” nurses, and the number of those who leave the profession. It also requests the Government to provide information concerning measures taken in order to address the issue of shortage of qualified nurses.

Article 5(2). Determination of conditions of employment and work. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress and results of collective negotiations to determine employment and working conditions of nursing personnel. In particular, please provide a copy of the Collective Labour Agreement currently in force.

Article 6(g). Social security. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning section 17 of Act No. 3863/2010 which provides for a List of Arduous and Unhealthy Occupations, the latest of which was published by Decision of the Minister of Labour and Social Security No. F10221/oik.26816/929/2011. According to the Government, Regulation on Arduous and Unhealthy Occupations (KVAE) does not cover health-care centres, including health-care stations. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of this Regulation, and to explain whether this exclusion may impact the social security protection for nursing personnel.

Article 7. Occupational safety and health. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the National Strategy on Health and Safety at Work 2010–13. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the preparation of a new National Strategy for 2014 and onwards, and to send a copy once it is adopted. Please also provide information on the progress made and results achieved with respect to the areas related to occupational safety and health of nursing personnel, including the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS infections.