Sex discrimination policy at the Bank of Labour

The decision in July 1997 of the management of the Bank of Labour to exclude women from new employee recruitment procedures has generated a storm of protest in Greece and raised many questions about the application of equal opportunities policies for men and women.

The management of the Bank of Labour issued a circular on 25 July 1997 announcing a competition to recruit new employees in the Athens region, which made it clear that "only men" could participate. The circular caused an outcry against the bank, and the application of equal job opportunities for both sexes was called into question.

Though it has been illegal in Greece since 1984 (Law 1414/1984, article 3), discrimination on the basis of gender still occurs. According to the general secretary of the Greek General Secretariat for Equality (GGI), this phenomenon has recently reached epidemic proportions.

This is not the first time that the Bank of Labour has been accused of sexual discrimination. The Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE), in a letter to management, claims that the Bank has applied in the past and indeed is still applying a policy of unequal treatment for women, demonstrated by the fact that:

• only 17.2% of all its employees are women; and

• only a minimal percentage of them makes it to the top rank.

The OTOE also notes that this policy does not meet the needs of today's increased competition in the banking sector, which requires the equal treatment of human resources. It is within this framework that the OTOE has requested the immediate inclusion of women in the competition, which it considers as a necessary step to create an amicable climate in the relationship between employers and employees in the sector.

The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) has also requested the immediate withdrawal of the offending circular, pointing out that it constitutes a violation of the human right of non-discrimination on sex grounds, and referring to racist behaviour in the past that has affected the whole working class. The Athens Labour Centre (EK) also condemned the Bank and declared that if it insisted on its decision to exclude women from work, the Centre would proceed with any action necessary to secure an equal job opportunities policy.

There was an equally strong reaction from the General Secretariat for Equality which, in a letter to all social partners, asked for the withdrawal of the circular or at least for changes to all the controversial points, on the grounds that it contravened the principle of equality as well as both European Union and national legislation. It also pointed out that violation of the law confers the right of legal protection for women excluded by this circular. In its reply to the GGI, the management board of the Bank notes that public opinion was upset due to a misinterpretation of the 25 July 1997 circular which was merely "printed internal mail" and not a notice announcing a competition. However, as many commentators have pointed out, this does not clear the Bank from the official accusation of sexual discrimination.