Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Maternity Protection Convention (Revised), 1952 (No. 103) - Greece (Ratification: 1983)

Other comments on C103

Observation

1994

Direct Request

2014
1998
1994
1990

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Article 4(5) of the Convention. Benefits out of social assistance funds. The Committee notes that women who fail to qualify for cash benefits from social insurance and cannot afford an adequate standard of living are provided with cash sums pursuant to a Maternity Benefit Plan administered by the municipalities of €220 for the period of 42 days before childbirth and €220 for the period of 42 days following childbirth, that is, 84 days in total. According to the Government’s report, in 2011, this subsidy was paid to 92 mothers.

The Committee asks the Government to explain: (i) how the amount of €220 was determined and whether it is deemed sufficient for the full and healthy maintenance of the mother and child in accordance with a suitable standard of living, subject to the means test which may be required for social assistance; (ii) what conditions are to be fulfilled by women workers not eligible for social insurance benefits to qualify for this subsidy; and (iii) how the Government intends to extend the subsidy to cover the entire statutory duration of maternity leave of 17 weeks (119 days), in line with Article 52 of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), also ratified by Greece, which provides that the duration of maternity benefit may not be limited to a period shorter than the statutory duration of maternity leave.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that, following certain reforms introduced during the reporting period (adoption of Act No. 3896/2010), the Independent Authority of the Greek Ombudsman now has competence for the promotion and the monitoring of the principle of equal treatment between men and women in both the public and the private sectors, which also includes competence for maternity protection issues. It also notes that a special cooperation procedure has been established between the Ombudsman and the labour inspectorate which is aimed at facilitating inspection and the imposition of sanctions. The adoption of Act No. 3996/2012 gives competence to the labour inspectorate to monitor the implementation of legislative provisions concerning equal opportunities and equal treatment between men and women, including as regards work and family balance. The Committee asks the Government to report on the implementation of these new procedures and indicate the ways in which they helped secure better compliance with maternity protection provisions.