Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Greece (Ratification: 1955)

Article 3(2) of the Convention. Additional functions entrusted to labour inspectors. Conciliation. The Committee previously asked the Government whether it was considering, in view of the potentially large proportion of work dedicated by labour inspectors to conciliation functions, the separation of the functions of conciliation from those of inspection. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Greek Labour Inspectorate (SEPE) is planning to modernize and redesign the labour dispute resolution process, so as to render it more accessible to workers and less time-consuming for labour inspectors, while ensuring the separation of conciliatory and supervisory functions. It notes the Government’s indication that the conciliation procedure is preferred by workers in a number of cases over inspections visits (for example, in relation to delayed payment of wages), as an immediate solution can be found for workers. In this context, the Committee also recalls from the 2012 audit that one of the recommendations related to the establishment of a separate unit for the examination of grievances by dispute resolution officers, in view of the fact that there is already a select group of officials specializing in labour disputes at the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare (MLSSW). The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the consideration given, in the framework of the plan of the SEPE to modernize the labour dispute resolution process, to create a separate unit with officials specializing in dispute resolution. In the meantime, it requests again the Government to provide information on the number of labour inspectors entrusted with conciliation functions and those carrying out enforcement and advisory functions within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) and (b) of the Convention.

Articles 20 and 21. Publication and communication to the ILO of annual reports on the work of the labour inspection services. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the annual activity reports of the SEPE are published on the website of the MLSSW. However, the Committee notes that this report has not been received at the ILO. In this context, the Committee also notes the Government's reference to the implementation of an integrated information system, which will lead to fundamental changes with regard to the time and the method used for the reporting of statistical data. The Committee requests the Government to take measures to ensure that the annual report of the SEPE is communicated to the ILO, as required by Article 20, and that it contains information on each of the subjects listed in Article 21. Please also continue to provide information on the impact of the implementation of the integrated information system on the collection of relevant inspection data.