Workers’ Rights Endangered in Greece

Brussels, 7 February 2012 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has condemned the attacks on workers’ rights in the current demands being made of the Greek government by the European Union and the IMF . The international trade union movement has urged all parties to engage instead in a genuine dialogue that could build a consensus-based economic recovery in Greece.

The IMF and the European Union are pressuring, among other conditions, for deregulation of labour rights in the private sector, enhanced wage flexibility including reductions in the minimum wage, legislative changes to facilitate employment reductions and other forms of interference in freely determined collective bargaining processes.

“This is totally unacceptable for the ITUC,” stated Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary. “Legitimate social dialogue and internationally recognised workers’ rights have been cast aside. Far from achieving a jobs recovery, this is going to condemn Greece to years more austerity accompanied by a rise in unemployment, informality and insecurity in the workplace.”

In a letter sent to the IMF, the ILO and the Greek authorities, the ITUC Is asking the organisations involved and the government to cease attempting to impose the current reforms and to seek instead a productive dialogue based upon a pro-growth strategy to build a consensus-based recovery in Greece.

“The international institutions and the Greek Government are destroying social dialogue, collective agreements and job and income security,” added Sharan Burrow. “They are destroying the base of democracy. The ITUC stands with workers in Greece and everywhere where workers’ rights are under attack.”

To see the letter, please go to http://www.ituc-csi.org/negotiations-in-greece.html

The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 308 national affiliates.
Website: http://www.ituc-csi.org and http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

ENDS