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1. Article 4. Terms and conditions of employment. Collective agreements. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the provisions contained in the National General Collective Labour Agreements for the years 2000–05 granting entitlements to men and women workers by way of unpaid leave in case of illness of a dependant child or other members of the family; additional paid leave of absence for parents raising a child alone; and reduced working hours, enabling them to assume family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on how the National General Collective Labour Agreements contribute to giving effect to the provisions of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning assistance provided to seafarers with family responsibilities, including the indication that issues of parental leave and leaves of absence for family reasons are regulated through collective agreements. Please provide further information on the leave entitlements provided under collective agreements applicable to seafarers and on the coverage of these agreements.

3. Article 5. Childcare and family services and facilities. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report on the provision of care for the elderly and children at the local government level. The Committee also notes that the General Secretariat for Gender Equality is implementing a project on affirmative action in favour of women in small, medium and large enterprises, which, inter alia, promotes the establishment and operation of infant nurseries. The Government also indicated to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women that it was preparing new measures to provide financial support to women for childcare services (statement of the head of the Greek delegation of 24 January 2007). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and the results achieved in providing sufficient and appropriate childcare services and facilities, including for children up to three years of age, as well as statistical information on the number of existing childcare facilities (private and public) and their capacity.

4. Article 6. Information and education. The Committee emphasizes that promoting the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities as a matter of concern to men and women is crucial for making progress in achieving effective gender equality, as envisaged in the Convention. The Committee, therefore, welcomes that some measures have been taken to promote a broader understanding of the principle of equality, including through activities within the framework of the fifth medium-term programme for gender equality (2001–05) targeting work and family reconciliation and combating stereotypical views. The Committee encourages the Government to intensify its efforts in this regard and requests it to continue to provide information on action taken to promote understanding of the principle of gender equality and awareness of the rights and needs of workers with family responsibilities.