The purpose of the legislation concerning violence and harassment at work is to effectively address these phenomena and to achieve the effective application of some provisions of the 2019 International Labor Convention (ILO).
The House of Representatives approved the bills on “violence and harassment in the workplace of 2024” and “on the establishment of inspection service at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (amending) (No. 2) Law of 2024”, with 25 and 26 votes respectively in favor of both votes against both votes.
The purpose of the law on violence and harassment at work is to effectively address these phenomena and to achieve the effective implementation of some provisions of the 2019 International Labor Organization (ILO) contract for violence and harassment.
Similarly, the purpose of amending the legislation to set up inspection service to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security Law is to include the responsibilities of the Inspector of the Inspection Service of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to carry out audits of the application of the provisions of the number of laws or the application of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions of the provisions.
During the discussion at the plenary session, AKEL MP and Chairman of the Labor Committee, Andreas Kafkalias, said the two bills were coming to supplement the legislative act it included and the ratification of the contract of the International Labor Organization. He noted that the bills cover gaps in the legislation in relation to violence and harassment in the workplace.
He added that “a good job has been done to the Labor Committee, some points have been completed through the debate in order to hand over the government an efficient framework to implement it” and said it is now up to the government to effectively implement this legislative tool.
DISY MP Fotini Tsiridou said in her position that the legislation was designed on the basis of international standards.
Pointed out that evidence shows that violence and harassment at work disproportionately affect women and girls
He noted that this legislation for the first time includes measures to cease and not repeat the phenomena that are reported, introduced a code of conduct and training of staff and established officials who handle these issues.
It was also important that the measures will also apply to third parties with a customer relationship or a contractual relationship or visitor relationship in the workplace, while covering employees both on service travel and social activities in the context of work.
Independent MP, Alexandra Attalidou, expressed hope that the legislation would enhance the confidence of workers and their well -being in the workplace. He noted, however, that the protection of workers is not just a legal issue, but has social implications and concerns the dignity, mental health and productivity of workers.
He also pointed out that the mentality of these issues should also change, referring to a “concealment culture” and stressing that without a change of culture, no legislation will help workers. He emphasized the need to control the implementation of the legislation and for zero tolerance to those who cover these phenomena.
Legislation approved, inter alia, employers to take measures to prevent violence and harassment at work by drawing up a relevant code of conduct. They also provide for the protection of labor rights and a prohibition of any adverse discrimination against employee.
A crime of violence or harassment against a person in his workplace, which is punishable by imprisonment of a prison sentence not exceeding two years and/or a fine of 5,000 euros, is also established. In addition, it is foreseen to adopt the crime of obstructing the complaint, but also the adoption of the offense of obstructing the inspector’s work.
Source: KYPE