Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes with interest the detailed information supplied by the Government in its reports and attached documentation. It notes, in particular, the information contained in the National Report of Greece - "The status of women in Greece: Developments during the period 1984-94" - prepared for the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, in September 1995.

1. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information concerning the measures being taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women, including information on the development of the "OLYMPIAS" programme, which is the global plan of action on equality. Please also continue to provide information on the extent to which women are participating in non-traditional areas of employment, such as in the police force. In this regard, the Committee notes that pursuant to Act No. 2226 of 13 December 1994, the percentage of women admitted for training in the Police School is not to exceed 20 per cent; and women's admission to the Officer's School is not to exceed 15 per cent. Please indicate the rationale for this limitation. Noting that the right of married women to retire after 15 years of work in the public sector has been repealed by Act No. 1902/1990 - which explained why women were not well represented in higher-level posts - the Committee asks the Government to continue to supply information on the representation of women in the public service in general and at higher levels of responsibility.

2. The Committee notes that data concerning the number of claims alleging discrimination based on sex were not available for the reporting period. Please supply this information with future reports, together with copies of judicial decisions concerning discrimination in employment on any of the grounds covered by the Convention.

3. The Committee refers to its previous direct request asking the Government to indicate how the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation is ensured with respect to the grounds of colour, national extraction and social origin - which are not listed specifically in articles 4 and 5 of the Constitution. The Government states in its report that the term "race" also takes into account considerations as to "colour". As concerns discrimination on the ground of "national extraction", the Government states that the Greek word "ethnikotita" used in article 5 (which has been translated as "nationality") is intended to protect against discrimination all nationalities who reside and work in the country. With reference to the ground of "social origin", the Government refers to article 4, paragraph 7, of the Constitution which provides that "Titles of nobility or distinction are neither conferred upon Greek citizens nor recognized". In order to ensure that the grounds specified by the Convention are complied with in practice, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and treatment on all of the grounds of the Convention.

4. The Committee notes from the report prepared for the Fourth World Conference on Women that, in recent years, waves of immigrants and refugees have arrived in the country (1.8 million between 1985 and 1992). The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures being taken or contemplated to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment for all persons living and working in the country and, in particular, those who are members of ethnic and religious minorities.

5. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on any decisions taken under the Acts of Necessity Nos. 1363/1938 and 1672/1939 concerning any distinction, exclusion or preference in employment and occupation made on the basis of religion. The Committee also requests the Government to furnish information on the implementation of Acts Nos. 1566/1985 and 1771/1988 concerning the non-issuance, by the Ministry of Education and Cults, of teaching permits to teachers who are not of the Orthodox religion.