Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Greece (Ratification: 1955)

The Committee notes the observations of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), received on 29 August 2024.

Legislative developments. The Committee takes note of the adoption of Presidential Decree No. 62/2025 which gives effect to a new Code of Labour Law (hereinafter Code of Labour Law), which codifies several provisions of the national legislation pertaining to wages.

Article 3(1) of the Convention. Payment in legal tender. Prohibition of payment in the form of promissory notes, vouchers or coupons. The Committee notes that in its observations, the GSEE refers to the use of service vouchers known as “ergosimo” that were introduced by Law No. 3863/2010 as a method to pay wages and social security contributions for contingent workers, including domestic and agricultural workers. The GSEE indicates that in May 2016, the vouchers system was extended to include migrants working in agriculture. It also indicates that although the original aim was to integrate migrant workers and address human trafficking, this system has, over time, led to abusive practices, particularly in the context of evolving migration policies. The Committee recalls that wages payable in money shall be paid only in legal tender, and payment in the form of promissory notes, vouchers or coupons, or in any other form alleged to represent legal tender, shall be prohibited. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that all wages payable in money are paid in legal tender and to provide information regarding the use of these vouchers in practice, particularly regarding wages of migrant workers.

Article 11. Wages as privileged debts in bankruptcy proceedings. The Committee notes that in its observations, the GSEE indicates that the new bankruptcy law No. 4738/2020 prioritizes debts to banks over wage claims. The Committee observes that section 167 of Law No. 4738/2020 states that claims arising from any type of financing provided to the debtor’s business are classified as the first class of general privileges under section 975 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The Committee also observes that, as a consequence, these financing claims take precedence over wage claims, which are ranked third in the order of privileged debts. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which section 167 of the Law No. 4738/2020 is applied in the practice.

Article 12. Regular payment of wages. Final settlement of wages upon termination of employment. Further to its previous comments on these matters, the Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government in its report regarding the number of fines imposed, complaints received, and labour disputes handled which related to the non-payment of wages in the period 2016–23. The Committee takes note of this information which replies to its previous request.