Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2025, Publicación: 114ª reunión CIT (2026)

Grecia

Convenio sobre la inspección del trabajo, 1947 (núm. 81) (Ratificación : 1955)
Convenio sobre la administración del trabajo, 1978 (núm. 150) (Ratificación : 1985)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on labour administration and inspection, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 81 (labour inspection) and 150 (labour administration) together.

Labour inspection: Convention No 81

The Committee notes the observations of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), received on 1 September 2023, 29 August 2024, and 29 August 2025. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Article 3(1) and (2) of the Convention. Additional functions entrusted to labour inspectors. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the conciliation procedure of collective disputes falls exclusively within the remit of the Mediation and Arbitration Service (OMED), and not under the Labour Inspectorate. At the same time, the Committee notes that under section 122 of Law No. 4808/2021, as codified under section 569 of the new Code of Labour Law which was given effect through Presidential Decree No. 62/2025, labour inspectors are entrusted with a series of labour dispute resolution tasks. The Government indicates in its report that the Labour Inspectorate has a wide range of responsibilities including inspection, sanction and consultation and that each inspector, depending on their level of experience, takes on specific tasks. The Government indicates that an inspector with a high level of experience can handle labour disputes. With regard to the assistance provided by the Labour Inspectorate to authorities that are primarily responsible for identifying victims of human trafficking, the Government indicates that in the framework of the Operational Action Plan to combat trafficking in human beings and labour exploitation under the supervision of the European Labour Authority and Europol for the period 2022–2025, Joint Action Days of the Labour Inspectorate with the Hellenic Police are held on a regular basis. In this respect, the Government provides detailed information on joint inspections conducted, violations detected, and fines imposed. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the number of labour inspectors entrusted with dispute resolution functions and those carrying out enforcement and advisory functions within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) and (b) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the proportion of time spent on dispute resolution or any other additional functions as compared to the time spent on primary duties, as defined under Article 3(1) of Convention No. 81. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the specific measures taken to ensure that additional functions assigned to labour inspectors do not interfere with their main objective to ensure the protection of workers.

Article 6. Status and conditions of service of labour inspectors. The Committee takes note of the detailed information provided by the Government on the remuneration and conditions of service for labour inspectors including on their classification and salary structure based on qualifications, family status, and dependants with disabilities. The Government also provides information on additional allowances, compensations and bonuses, as well as a comparison with the remuneration and job classification of officials in the Independent Public Revenue Authority and Hellenic Police officers. In its observations, the GSEE indicates that although it acknowledges the positive aspects of the provision of extra remuneration for labour inspectors for achieving inspection targets, it notes that such incentives may lead to work overload and suggests a focus on quantitative rather than qualitative assessments. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Article 7. Training of labour inspectors. In response to the Committee’s request, the Government provides detailed information on the training programmes for new labour inspectors, including both general and specialized theoretical and practical training. The Government also provides information on the number of employees certified as Labour Relations Inspectors and Occupational Safety and Health Inspectors in 2022 and 2023, as well as information on training related to combating labour exploitation and trafficking for the period 2022–2024. In its observations, the GSEE raises concerns about a “Guide to the Resolution of Labor Disputes by the Labor Inspectorate”, published by the Labour Inspection, which contains ambiguities and prioritizes conciliation over enforcement. Furthermore, the GSEE emphasizes the need for a regular training plan for labour inspectors, including joint sessions with workers and employers. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Article 10. Number of inspectors. The Committee takes note of the detailed information provided by the Government on the number of employees of the Labour Inspectorate, which has 995 posts, of which 759 filled. In its observations, the GSEE indicates that the Government needs to provide detailed information on the number and staffing levels of labour inspectors who are deployed in remote agricultural areas and islands, where seasonal workers are employed. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of labour inspectors and provide specific information on the number of labour inspectors deployed in remote areas. It also requests the Government to indicate the number of Labour Relations inspectors and Occupational Safety and Health inspectors. It requests the Government to provide information on the recruitment of additional staff to fill the vacant positions.

Article 11. Material resources of the labour inspectorate. Reimbursement of expenses incurred by labour inspectors in the exercise of their duties. The Committee takes note of the detailed information provided by the Government on the legal framework that provides for the financial and procedural aspects of the Labour Inspectorate’s budget, including the sources of funding, the process of budget preparation and approval. The Labour Inspectorate’s budget is supplemented with funds from 20 per cent of the administrative sanctions imposed by the Labour Inspectorate Independent Authority, primarily allocated to support the inspectorate’s activities including mobility and transport expenses. The Government indicates that inspectors are compensated for transportation within and outside their headquarters to meet official needs either before or after their transportation. In its observations, the GSEE indicates that the Government needs to provide detailed information on the logistical infrastructure of the Labour Inspectorate, especially in remote agricultural areas and islands, including on locations of their offices and the availability of personal protective equipment, particularly for inspections in high-risk workplaces or during extreme weather conditions. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the logistical infrastructure throughout the territorial structures of the labour inspection service, including on the availability of transport facilities, suitably equipped offices, and available personal protective equipment required to ensure adequate protection against risks to their safety and health during the performance of their duties.

Articles 19, 20 and 21. Information system on the activities of labour inspection services. Publication and communication to the ILO of annual reports on the work of the labour inspection services. The Government indicates that all data related to inspectors’ activities continue to be registered in the Integrated Information System of the Labour Inspectorate and extracted from the system so that reports can be drawn up. The Directorate for Planning and Coordination of Labour Relations Inspection aims, inter alia, to collect and use the relevant data and evaluate the report of the regional services’ activities. Its Department of Data Evaluation and Support of the Labour Relations Inspectors’ work collects and evaluates the data related to the work of the Labour Relations Inspection Services and periodically reports to the Governor of the Authority and the Minister of Labour and Social Security. It also prepares the annual activity report of the Labour Inspectorate. The Committee notes that annual reports for 2022 and 2023 are available on the website of the Labour Inspectorate Independent Authority and include a detailed presentation of the inspectorate’s activities as well as detailed statistical data on all information required by Article 21 of the Convention, except for the number of workplaces liable to inspection, and the number of occupational diseases. In its observations, the GSEE indicates that the lack of official data on penalties imposed remains a concern, as does the absence of tripartite consultations on labour inspection reports. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect. It also requests the Government to continue publishing and providing annual reports to the ILO on the activities of the labour inspectorate, and to ensure that they contain all the information required by Article 21, including information on the statistics of workplaces liable to inspection (Article 21(c)), and statistics of occupational diseases (Article 21(g)).

Labour administration: Convention No. 150

The Committee notes the observations of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and Industries (SEV) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), received on 30 August 2019 and 1 October 2020 as well as the Government’s reply. It also notes the observations of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), received on 29 August 2024.

Articles 1, 4 and 5 of the Convention. Structure, operation and coordination of the labour administration system. Consultations with the employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that in 2023 the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs was handed over, and its responsibilities were allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (which succeeded the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs), and the new Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family. In reply to Committee’s previous request, the Government provides in its report detailed information on the organizational structure of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, including an organigramme, as well as on the national legislation that brough relevant organizational changes. Furthermore, the Committee notes that Presidential Decree No. 77/2023 provided for the establishment of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family whose main objective is to promote policies in three areas: (i) family and social care; (ii) social policy and integration; and (iii) social housing. In this regard, the Government provides detailed information with respect to the transfer of some organizational units, staff and competences as well as supervision from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family. In its observations, the GSEE expresses concern regarding the uncertainty surrounding the mandate and competencies of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security following the establishment of the new Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family. It indicates that this new Ministry has taken over important responsibilities related to employment policy previously under the remit of the Ministry of Labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect. It requests the Government to provide an organizational chart of the new Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, as well as information on its responsibilities indicating whether some of them are relevant to labour administration. It requests the Government to provide information on how the two Ministries cooperate to ensure coordination of labour administration. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the involvement of the social partners in this restructuring.

Articles 5(1) and Article 6(2)(b). Performance of the labour administration services in the field of employment, including for certain vulnerable groups. Tripartite consultations. In its previous comments under the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No.122), the Committee noted the transformation of the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) into the Public Employment Service (DYPA) under Law No. 4921/2022. In this respect, the Government indicates that a Council of Social Partners has been established in DYPA, which functions as a new advisory body that provides input on the funding resources allocated to DYPA and key issues within its remit. In its observations, the GSEE indicates that the transformation of OAED to DYPA shifted governance from a tripartite model to government control, reducing the influence of social partners. It indicates that despite workers’ social security contributions constitute 90 per cent of DYPA’s funds, the Board’s composition does not reflect this, and GSEE’s request for a permanent Board President from the workers’ side was ignored. It also points to legal constraints on the management by social partners of the Special Vocational Training Account (ELEK) which limit its effectiveness. Furthermore, the GSEE stresses the need for a coherent disability policy and emphasizes on the role of the labour administration system in ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly in employment, vocational training, and rehabilitation. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect. Additionally, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the role of the Council of Social Partners within DYPA in contributing to the formulation and implementation of policies related to employment. The Committee refers to its comments on the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122).

Article 6(2)(d). Functions of the labour administration system. Provision of technical advice. Conciliation in case of collective disputes. In its observations, the IOE and SEV point to a lack of responsiveness from the previous Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to SEV’s repeated requests for data from its information systems to support social dialogue initiatives. In its reply, the Government indicates that such requests were never received and points to the development of the new information system “ERGANI II”, which aimed to improve data provision and interoperability. With reference to itscomments on the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No.122) regarding ERGANI II, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the technical advice made available by the labour administration bodies in response to workers’ and employers’ demands, as well as their respective organizations.

Article 9. Delegation of labour administration activities to parastatal agencies. The Committee notes that the conciliation functions previously exerted by the Labour Inspectorate have been transferred to the Organization for Mediation and Arbitration (OMED), through Law No. 4808/2021. The main purpose of the Organization is to support bargaining between workers’ representatives and employers’ representatives or individual employers, after the failure of direct bargaining. The Government indicates that OMED is an entity governed by private law and is in no way linked to the public budget as regards management and coordination, but regular audits are carried out by statutory auditors. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on how it ensures coordination between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the OMED and provide information on the regular audits. With regard to the new Labour Inspectorate-Independent Authority, the Committee refers to its comments under Article 4 of Convention No. 81 addressed under an observation.

Article 10. Human resources and material means necessary for the operation of the labour administration system. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security employs 367 permanent and appointed employees. It also provides detailed information on the initial and lifelong professional learning provided to the officials of the Ministry, including through the Training Institute of the National Centre for Public Administration and Self-Government. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the budgetary means and human resources allocated to the labour administration services. It requests the Government to describe the impact of the restructuring and the creation of the new ministry on the allocation of financial resources to the Ministry of Labour. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on the number of officials in the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, their status and conditions of service.