Definitive Report - REPORT_NO50, 1961

1. 24. By a communication dated 22 March 1960 addressed directly to the I.L.O, the Greek Press Employees' Federation lodged a complaint of infringement of freedom of association against the Greek Government. The complainants were informed by a letter dated 28 March 1960 of their right to furnish further information in substantiation of their complaint within a period of one month. They have not availed themselves of this right. The complaint was transmitted to the Government for its observations by a letter dated 28 March 1960. The Government forwarded its reply by a communication dated 4 May 1960.

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 25. The complainants allege that, following a strike of press employees in Athens against their employers, the Government introduced into the Chamber a Bill which if adopted would result in the denunciation of the collective labour agreement in force to the disadvantage of the press employees. The purpose of the complaining organisation is to protest against an initiative which it considers as aimed at abolishing the right to strike and suppressing the acquired rights of the workers.
2. 26. In its reply the Government states that on 4 March 1960 a strike of Athenean press employees was called in support of economic demands. It points out that the strike followed a normal course without the Government intervening in favour of one or other of the parties concerned, except for attempts to find a compromise between the differing points of view. The Government declares that the strike lasted 33 days, took place without impediment, and ended on 6 April 1960 with an agreement between the two parties concerned.
3. 27. In respect of the Bill complained of, which passed into law by a favourable vote by the Chamber, the Government states that it in no way affects trade union rights. The Act in question, according to the Government, prescribes, firstly, new rules governing the indemnities paid to press employees in the event of cancellation of the contract of employment and, secondly, provides for the possibility of merging into a unified organisation two insurance bodies which are at present in existence in this branch of work.
4. 28. It would appear to follow from the Government's explanations that the strike in question followed a free course without the Government trying in any way to prevent or hinder it. After lasting more than a month it would seem to have been settled by an agreement between the two parties concerned.
5. 29. As regards the legislation complained of, it would not appear to contain anything which would seem likely to affect the workers' right to strike or the free exercise of their other trade union rights.