ILO

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Greece is a founding member of the International Labour Organization and the first country to have ratified the six first Conventions of this organization. Greece is well known for having ratified a large number of international labour conventions, among which the eight fundamental ILO Conventions.

Since the establishment of the ILO, Greece has participated continuously and actively in the organization’s work in the spirit of reinforcing the tripartisme principle. This principle is a unique characteristic of the ILO, which sets the organization apart from the other UN specialized agencies, a feature that enhances the promotion of social dialogue, at the international, European and national levels.

It also actively participates in the meetings of the EU Member States, the Western European Group and the IMEC (Industrialized Market Economy Countries) Group.

Greece supports the social dimension of globalization as described in the Decent Work Agenda of the ILO and contributed along with all EU members states to the consensus adoption by the International Labour Conference of 2008 of “The ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization”. In 2009 Greece, together with all EU member states, contributed to the unanimous adoption, by the International Labour Conference, of the “Global Jobs Pact”, a global policy instrument that addresses the social and employment impact of the international financial and economic crisis.

Greece was a deputy member of the ILO Governing Body in 2005-2008. In June 2017 Greece was elected again deputy member of the ILO Governing Body for its 2017 – 2020 term. In this capacity, Greece is committed to contribute to the Future of Work Initiative in light of the ILO’s Centenary in 2019 and beyond it.

Greece has actively participated in the drafting of the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006. On 4 January 2013, Greece has deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention. The Convention entered into force on 20 August 2013. Greece held the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU during the first semester of 2014, when the International Labour Conference adopted the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention.

Respectful of its international obligations and of the ILO comprehensive legal framework, the Greek Government is committed to promote sustainable economic growth, more and better jobs and enhanced social cohesion.