Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2016, publiée 106ème session CIT (2017)

Convention (n° 100) sur l'égalité de rémunération, 1951 - Grèce (Ratification: 1975)

The Committee notes the observations from the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), received on 1 September 2016, according to which no impact assessment of the austerity measures on the implementation of the Convention has been carried out. Moreover, the rapid growth of flexible forms of employment has led to a widening of the gender pay gap and to obstacles in women’s career development.

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. Impact of the structural reform measures on the application of the Convention. The Committee has been examining for a number of years the austerity measures adopted in the framework of the financial support mechanism. In this context, it has requested the Government to monitor the evolution and impact of such measures on the practical application of the equal pay provisions in Act No. 3896/2010 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in employment and occupation (section 4(1)). It has also requested the Government to monitor and evaluate the evolution and impact of the austerity measures on the remuneration of men and women in the public and private sectors with a view to determining the most appropriate measures to avoid widening the pay gap. The Committee notes the measures taken by the Government with a view to fully implementing the principle of the Convention, including the reform of the labour inspectorate, which has the competence to monitor the payment of remuneration and other benefits. The Government adds that the Directorate for Remuneration of Work of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare did not detect any violations of the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value or, in general, any other discrimination on grounds of sex in the text of collective agreements submitted to it. The Government recognizes, however, that wage differentials based on sex might exist where wages paid by employers exceed those stipulated in collective agreements. The Government indicates that wage differentials stemming from private agreements are not monitored by the Directorate. The Government adds that the ombudsman has considered that cuts in wages and allowances during pregnancy, maternity leave and parenting leave increase the wage gap between men and women, even in the public sector. Noting that the information provided does not indicate that any impact assessment has been undertaken, the Committee asks the Government to take the necessary measures without delay, in cooperation with the social partners and the Office of the Ombudsman and on the basis of adequate statistics, to monitor the evolution and impact of the austerity measures on the remuneration of men and women in the public and private sectors with a view to determining the most appropriate measures to address existing wage differentials between men and women. The Committee further asks the Government to take concrete measures to ensure that the wages and allowances of working mothers are not reduced. The Committee asks the Government to provide full information on these matters.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

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