Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Greece (Ratification: 1984)

The Committee notes the observations made by the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), received on 1 September 2016. The GSEE has been raising the same concerns since 2010, namely that the Government’s imposition of austerity measures as part of the implementation of the country’s international loan agreement, as well as the intervention of third parties in national policies, has resulted in the violation of the provisions of the Convention. The GSEE stresses that no progress has been made with regard to the application of the Convention. Moreover, the legislative provisions which were found to be incompatible with the Convention have not been modified or repealed, no assessment has been carried out to determine the impact of the austerity measures on the implementation of the Convention, and most of the tripartite social dialogue structures are either not functioning or are underperforming. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment policy measures implemented under the adjustment programme. The Government indicates in its report that the Economic and Social Council of Greece has been assigned to prepare an integrated action plan on employment policies. The aims of the plan are as follows: (a) upgrading the employment promotion centres in order to better match the unemployed with available vacancies; (b) enhance the effectiveness of training programmes for the unemployed and seek training for the unemployed from businesses; and (c) replenish reduced working hours with training. Unemployment has significantly increased during the last few years amid the prolonged recession. Unemployment was measured at 27.6 per cent in May 2013 compared to 23.8 per cent in May 2012. Alarmingly, the unemployment rate of young people aged 15–24 has continued to increase from 55.1 per cent in May 2012 to 64.9 per cent in May 2013. The Government indicates that the limited possibility of exit from unemployment is also reflected in the increase in long term unemployment from 3.6 per cent in 2008 and 5.7 per cent in 2010 to 14.4 per cent in 2012 – a very high percentage when compared to the EU-27 average (4.6 per cent in 2012). The employment rate (ages 20–64) in 2012 stood at 55.3 per cent. The number of employed persons during the first quarter of 2013 amounted to 3,596,000, recording a drop of 6.3 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2012. During the reporting period a series of laws have been adopted to reduce labour costs and to promote flexibility in the labour market in order to respond to the challenges of the economic crisis. The conversion of the labour market contracts of full employment to part-time employment or rotation work has contributed to job retention or has prevented job losses. According to data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), the part-time employment rate in Greece reached 8.6 per cent of the workforce during the first quarter of 2013 from 7.2 per cent in the corresponding quarter in 2012. With respect to active labour market policies, the Committee notes that since 2010 more than 1,291,597 persons, either as employees, self-employed or as trainees, have benefited from 74 Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) programmes for job retention, promotion of employment or training, of a total budget of €3.87 billion. It is estimated in this regard that the total number of beneficiaries of these programmes upon completion will reach 1,471,829 persons. The Committee also notes the employment and training programmes implemented by the OAED for the strengthening of the employment situation of young persons, women, the long-term unemployed and other groups affected by the crisis. Taking into account the persistent high levels of unemployment and youth unemployment, the Committee once again invites the Government to further specify how, pursuant to Article 2 of the Convention, it keeps under review the employment policies and measures adopted in order to pursue the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment, in consultation with the social partners. The Committee also invites the Government to provide information on the results of the measures adopted to address youth unemployment and long-term unemployment in the country.

Education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the application of the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142), indicating that the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) was established in November 2011 following the merging of three entities. The Operational Programme on Human Resources Development includes a budget of €2.74 billion and is the most important financing tool of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare for the implementation of the strategy and policies on human resources development and achievement of social cohesion. Actions being implemented under this Programme include training of workers in enterprises by providing an educational allowance; continuing vocational training programmes; vocational training programmes for the unemployed through the use of training vouchers; vocational training for vulnerable social groups; and labour market entry vouchers for unemployed people up to 29 years of age. It also includes the development and implementation of an integrated system for the identification of the labour market needs. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the impact of education and training measures in terms of obtaining lasting employment for young persons and other groups of vulnerable workers. Please also include information on the progress made to activate the National System for Linking Vocational Education and Training with Employment (ESSEEKA).

Modernization of labour market institutions. The Committee notes that the reorganization of labour market institutions, which includes all systemic interventions contributing to the reform and functional integration of institutions of the labour market, has been included in the Operational Programme on Human Resources Development. The Government indicates that the development of theses systemic interventions has started since 2011 and is still in progress. In this respect, the Committee refers to its direct request on the Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88). The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the effectiveness of the reorganization of its labour market institutions.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare established the National Committee for Social Dialogue in September 2012. The first stage of social consultation was about addressing the critical problems and distortions of the labour market (unemployment, undeclared work, insurance contribution evasion, non-wage costs and bureaucracy, reforming the minimum wage fixing mechanism). During the second phase of consultations, ways to manage the challenges of the labour market have been sought, including youth employment. The Committee further notes the information concerning the tripartite consultations held in various committees, including the National Committee for Employment. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the formulation and implementation of the measures required by the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.