Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1990, publiée 77ème session CIT (1990)

Convention (n° 111) concernant la discrimination (emploi et profession), 1958 - Grèce (Ratification: 1984)

1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the detailed information provided by the Government concerning the various measures - legislative and practical - that have been taken in the public and private sectors in order to promote the principle of equal opportunity in employment and occupation. It notes in particular, and with satisfaction, the adoption of Act No. 1735 of 1987 concerning, inter alia, the qualifications required for access to employment in the public administration, and eliminating all discrimination on grounds of political, philosophical and religious convictions in respect of public sector officials or employees.

2. The Committee refers to the observations it has been making since 1986 concerning the allegations of the Pan-Hellenic Association of Women Telephone Operators with regard to certain discriminatory practices based on sex - particularly in the area of working conditions and promotion - said to be engaged in by the Government, and concerning women telephone operators employed by the Greek Telecommunications Agency (OTE), following the integration of the women operators into the administrative and technical staff of the Agency. In its observations, the Committee requested the Government, in particular, to supply information concerning promotions that had occurred among the women workers in question since their integration, to communicate the new wage scale applying to the whole staff of the Greek Telecommunications Agency, and to indicate the number of women employed by the Agency (including those employed in higher-level positions) and their percentage in relation to men. The Committee also requested details of the outcome of the work of the Joint Committee on Equality responsible for establishing rules to govern, inter alia, certain matters concerning the staff of the Greek Telecommunications Agency.

The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in reply to its observations, and also notes the information provided in a new communication from the Pan-Hellenic Association of Women Telephone Operators, dated 13 October 1988.

The Government's reply indicates that the decision to integrate women telephone operators into the administrative and technical staff was taken by the Staff Council of the Agency, in conformity with the General Regulations covering the staff, with the aim of giving practical effect to the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment for both sexes in respect of professional careers and wage development, since the number of posts held by women telephone operators was declining owing to the introduction of new technology in this area. The information provided by the Government reveals however, that of the 48 promotions in the Agency since 1984, only six applied to women in this category of operators. Furthermore, both the Government's reply and the communication from the above-mentioned Association, indicate that there were no promotions during the period 1986 to 1988. In addition, the percentage of women employed by the Agency is 14.1 per cent, and only one woman, as compared to 144 men, is employed in a higher-level position. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will not fail to take the necessary measures to remedy this situation and to ensure that the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment is also applied within the Greek Telecommunications Agency, with regard not only to promotions, but also to working conditions in general, including wages. On this last point, the Committee notes the Government's statement that the new wage scale for the staff of the Agency establishes equality of remuneration according to qualifications and seniority, irrespective of the sex of the persons concerned. The Committee recalls that under Convention No. 100, also ratified by Greece, equal remuneration for men and women workers applies to work of equal value, and requests the Government to refer in this connection to the direct request that the Committee is addressing to it on that Convention. The Committee also asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the work of the Standing Committee for the Equality of the Sexes, set up under the collective agreement of 1987 concerning telecommunications staff, and on the results obtained. It would also like to receive a copy of the new wage scale of the above Agency, which was not received with the report.