Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Greece (Ratification: 1986)

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The Committee notes the observations of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) received on 30 August 2022. The Committee requests the Government to reply to these observations.

Article 3(3) of the Convention. Authorization to carry out hazardous work from the age of 16 years. The Committee takes note of the Government’s information, in its report, regarding the adoption of the new Law No. 4763/2020 on the national system of vocational education, training and lifelong learning. It notes the Government’s statement that section 7(5) of Decree No. 62/1988 – permitting the employment of young persons from the age of 15 in work that is liable to prejudice their health, safety or development where such work is necessary for their vocational training – is the only exception to the general prohibition of the engagement of minors under 18 years in hazardous work.

The Committee notes the GSEE’s observation that the Government has not taken the necessary measures to amend section 7(5) by raising the age of admission to hazardous work in vocational training to 16 years of age.

In this regard, the Committee must once again underline that, according to Article 3(3) of the Convention, national laws or regulations or the competent authority may only authorize employment in hazardous work as from the age of 16 years, regardless of whether or not this employment takes place in the framework of vocational training or apprenticeships, on condition that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that the young persons have received adequate specific instruction or training in the relevant branch of activity. Considering that it has been raising this issue for more than 20 years,the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures, without delay, to ensure that the minimum age for the exemptions from the prohibition on the employment of young persons in hazardous work, as laid down in section 7(5) of Presidential Decree No. 62/1998, will be raised to at least 16 years, so as to be in compliance with Article 3(3) of the Convention. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.

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