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Report on the Study Visit to Greece
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Both structures work together parallel to each other and
have completely separate congress’ to vote on leaders
and the direction of the movement
When they do meet its academics who deliberate on
their behalf to go to the government to negotiate
and every year the situation of the Greek economy is
brought up(usually September time) The subsequent
papers show the situation, purpose and direction of the
trade unions.
Trade unions have internal conflicts, with different
opinions. The finical crisis in Greece has caused splits in
the trade unions.
Climate change
Dr Christin has been in the department of environment
and pollution since 1990. She organises seminars and
courses for trade unionists one of them being about the
protection of environment and occupational health and
safety another.
Legislation
The environment is over regulated due to EU directives
and Greece’s own regulations thought the inspections
of the legislation are weak. There are fines but not a lot
happens after them with regards to forcing compliance.
Through the crisis though the environment has not
been a priority so the amount of inspections has
decreased.
Environmental legislation is welcome and people are
sensitive to the issues (sometimes overly so) but in
some cases groups try to divert issues in the name
of the environment in order to push through their
own agenda. For example there is a gold mine in
Northern Greece – the new government promised
the inhabitants of the area that the exploitation of the
workers would stop. A Canadian mining company
purchased the mine and indeed did stop the
exploitation but now 3000 people are unemployed
leading to a social disaster not an environmental one!!!
Young People
Christina believed that the trade union movement isn’t
really responding to the needs of the young people and
still remains traditional in their approach and ideas. They
don’t deny that it is an issue; they don’t do much about
it. There is no strategy to engage with young people
(some individual unions to – but not in general). The
traditional way of holding meetings does not fit into the
way of living now where people mainly communicate
online via social media or text message. This should not
replace face to face meetings though as they have a
greater effect.
This though is a worldwide issue and reflected the
conversation Sarah had with two young students on the
metro when we arrived on the Friday. They basically said
if your parents are trade unionists then you likely will be
too otherwise trade unions do not seem interested in
young people’s needs just to make political gains.
Other points noted on the trip
Suicide rates have shot up in Greece since the crisis and
projects such as Solidarity and Costas are designed to
stop people from feeling isolated and lonely. For most
attendees the only conversation they have on a day to
day basis will be at the projects.
It is not enough just to feed the homeless, refugees
or low paid workers struggling to survive. They need
more such as homes and communities which will help
redevelop healthy mind sets too.
Trade unions in Greece are not political; they do not
affiliate to any political party or have links to them like
we do. They do have positions on what is happening
but no influence. For example the trade unions said the
referendum was a mistake as it would divide people. It
was carried out outside of the law in 5 days
Greece have had 6 years of recession which other than
after world war one has not happened!
Leadership reflects the quality of the people as they
vote them in. but the media has diminished the
Photo courtesy of Bindu Paul
and Sarah Woolley