Greek Govt Policy On Trade Unions

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32036, 10 July 1969, Page 23

Greek Govt Policy On Trade Unions

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) ATHENS. Greece’s Army rulers are acting to make radical changes in the country’s labour laws, and to transform the structure of the trade unions. A series of decrees published in the official Gazette recently spelt out the Government’s policy on these matters.

At first glance they seem to favour the interests of the country’s workers, but observers in Athens have pointed out that a study of the small print appears to indicate that the Government may really be seeking an indirect control of the trade unions.

One of the clauses says that trade unionists seeking election to administrative posts in labour federations must have been “workers”—in the true sense of that word —for at least 100 days a year, or 600 such days in the. six years

period preceding their election. The Prime Minister (Mr George Papadopoulos) has explained that this will ensure that administration is in the hands of persons with first hand knowledge of the problems of their colleagues. But observers point out it also means that several present leaders of various labour federations automatically lost their posts. They include Mr Fotis Makris, the 65-year-old general secretary of the General Federation of Labour, which accounts for about half of Greece’s total labour force. Mr Makris, who has held his post for 25 years, was a political appointee. Within 48 (hours of the publication of (the decree, he was arrested and held briefly for questioning by security officials.

After his release he said: ‘The decrees are anticonstitutional, and radically opposed to international labour agreements.” Shortly before his arrest Mr Makris had issued a statement in which he accused the Government of shackling the country’s workers.

Other colleagues of Mr Makris are believed to oppose in varying degrees the Government’s labour policies, and they could be replaced by men more favourably inclined to Mr Papadopoulos. Observers regarded this as important because of another decree concerning strikes. The total ban on strikes—imposed after the military coup of April, 1967—has now been partially lifted. Those lasting not longer than three days may be staged, after a majority vote in the executive committee of the union concerned.

Strikes lasting longer can only be decided on by a majority vote of the union’s assembly. Observers point out that the Government’s hand will be strengthened in its dealings with unions, if they are assured of the loyalty of a majority of top officials. They also see as significant a clause which says that unions whose activities are held to be against the security of the state and the regime may be disbanded under a court ruling.