Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Greece (Ratification: 1989)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

The Committee notes the observations of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), received on 1 September 2023, as well as the Government’s response, received on 16 November 2023. It also notes the observations of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and Industries (SEV), received on 1 September 2023 and asks the Government to communicate its response thereto.

Article 5 of the Convention. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, with regard to the cooperation of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for guidance and vocational training, their role is considered very important for the creation of effective vocational education and training schemes. In its observations, the GSEE expresses concern with respect to the restructuring of the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) into the Public Employment Service (DYPA), highlighting that the DYPA lacks the ability to effectively intervene in the labour market due to limited social partner participation. It adds that, while the creation of the Special Account for Vocational Training (ELEK) is positive, legal limitations on its management and operation by the social partners undermine its autonomy. In response to the GSEE’s observations, the Government indicates that, with regard to the composition of the DYPA Board of Directors and the reduced number of social partners’ representatives, the change resulted from the overall decrease in the number of Board members (from 18 to 11) to achieve greater flexibility. Moreover, under Law No. 4921/2022, the Council of Social Partners was established, a collective body with significant advisory capacity towards the Management Board of DYPA on issues that include the ELEK. The Government further indicates that the Law No. 4921/2022 provides that the management of ELEK funds will be transferred to a new legal entity governed by private law, which will be established by the social partners themselves. In its observations, the SEV indicates that work-based learning, in the form of apprenticeships or internships, should be strengthened at all levels of initial vocational education and training. It adds that delays in finalising the organisational framework regarding vocational upper secondary schools’ internships, as well as the lack of information and substantial cooperation with businesses on this matter deprive enterprises of the opportunity to express their needs and discourage them from actively participating in the process. The SEV also refers to the reestablishment of the technology sector within the tertiary education system, according to Law No. 4957/2022, adding, however, that it has not yet been activated. The SEV further indicates that, in this context, it is essential that social partners are actively involved in the selection of specialties, as well as in the design of curricula. In addition, the Committee notes that, according to the OECD (2020), Greece was facing several challenges in developing human resources policies. Unemployment rates are high, particularly among women, youth, and older workers. Additionally, labour informality is significant and there is an important skills mismatch, requiring alignment of workers’ competencies with labour market demands. In view of the above, the Committee requests the Government to provide further and updated information on the cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee further requests the Government to indicate the impact and outcome of this cooperation. It also requests the Government to describe any existing or new formal procedures or consultative machinery instituted for this purpose, including the body that will manage ELEK funds.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes the Government's second report on the application of the Convention. It would be grateful if, in its next report, the Government would provide additional information on the following points:

1. The Committee notes that among the bodies responsible for ensuring the development of vocational guidance and training policies and programmes, the Government mentions the National Vocational Training and Employment Council (ESEKA) set up by Act No. 1836/89 and operating at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Labour, and the National Institute of Labour established under Act No. 2150/93. It also notes that an Organization for Vocational Education and Training responsible for coordinating vocational training with the educational system has been set up under the Ministry of National Education and Religion by Act No. 2009/92. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would state what the respective attributions of these various bodies are, and indicate how, in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention, vocational guidance and training are closely linked with employment. Please indicate the role of the OAED in this respect.

2. The Committee notes the information that new vocational training institutes have been set up under Act No. 2009/92 and that the technical and vocational training structures have been improved. It asks the Government in its next report to describe the systems of general, technical and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance and vocational training, as required by the report form, indicating to what extent these systems are "open, flexible and complementary" in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

3. Please describe the types of information available for the purpose of vocational guidance, provide samples of available documentation and indicate the procedures or system for ensuring that information on education, training, occupations, the labour market and any other subject contained in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 3 of the Convention is kept up to date to ensure effective vocational guidance.

4. Please continue to provide detailed information on measures taken to extend initial and continuous vocational training systems and to adapt them to needs in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention.

5. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate how cooperation with employers' and workers' organizations and, where applicable, other interested bodies, is assured in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention. Please state in which bodies these organizations are represented, the frequency of their meetings, the questions they deal with, the opinions issued and the manner in which they are taken into account.

6. Please provide extracts of reports, studies, surveys and statistics concerning the practical application of the Convention (Part VI of the report form).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes the Government's first report, which deals essentially only with vocational guidance. It has also noted the information on employment policy measures relating to training supplied in the 1992 report on Convention No. 122. To enable a full appreciation of the effect given to all the provisions of the present Convention, the Committee would be glad if in its next report the Government would give full details in reply to the questions in the report form. Please send with the report any available statistics and extracts from relevant reports, studies and inquiries.