Greek Attacks on Workers’ Rights Threatens Long Term Economic Recovery

The international trade union movement has condemned attacks on trade union rights in Greece, warning that a new labour law to be passed by the Greek Parliament this week is an attack on freedom of association and should immediately be reviewed by the International Labor Organisation to ensure compliance with ILO standards.

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Secretary Sharan Burrow said collective bargaining, a core labour right, is being threatened by the Greek Government, under heavy pressure from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

“Union rights which have been fought and won in the last 100 years are being stripped away in Greece. The ITUC will be leading the international defence of workers’ rights,” said Sharan Burrow

The Greek Parliament is to pass a new reform giving “groups of employees” the power to sign company agreements instead of unions. The same bill provides for the possibility of signing such agreements in businesses with less than 20 employees.

“The right to be represented by a union and in genuine collective bargaining is an international and national right enshrined in law. Using the cover of the financial crisis to strip back workers rights will do nothing for working people. Employers need to treat their staff fairly and with the respect they deserve – this includes giving workers the choice to be represented by a union,” said Sharan Burrow.

International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank, and European Union representatives, known as the troika, have demanded the non-renewal of national sectoral collective agreements for three years to neutralize pay increases.
“Union representation in collective bargaining is an essential part of reducing income inequality, an underlying cause of the international financial crisis. By taking away these rights one by one, we are not putting in place the structural changes needed to put the world economy on a stable and fair footing,“ said Sharan Burrow.

The ITUC is calling on the European Union to assist investment in jobs, and support a Financial Transaction Tax to raise urgently needed finance for job creation.

“Workers in work will drive the economy out of crisis, not the bankers. By having strong trade unions, with collective bargaining rights, negotiating with employers, we will have a strong and productive workforce,” said Sharan Burrow.
Public and private sector unions in Greece have voted for a general strike on Wednesday 19 October 2011.


For further information and to arrange an interview with Sharan Burrow, contact ITUC Press Office

Gemma Swart (English) Mobile + 32 479 06 41 63 Landline +32 2 224 0206
Mathieu Debroux (English, French, Spanish) Mobile + 32 476 62 10 18 Landline+32 2 224 0204