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4 August 2003

Race Against Racism in Greece

In the past, there have been reports of hotels in Greece that do not accept "coloured" people and of employers who refuse to hire them. There have also been cases of employers hiring non-whites because they can pay them considerably less. Some hospitals, meanwhile, have been known to deny treatment to non-Christians and to the disabled.

The justice ministry is now working to end that by introducing a bill, drafted with the help of the ministry of labour and social insurance, which mandates equal treatment of people regardless of their ethnicity, race, religion or other persuasion. The bill would penalise harassment and the "creation of an intimidating, humiliating, or hostile environment" against civilians. Those who don't abide by the law could find themselves facing up to a year in jail and a large fine.

Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos believes that the new standards will modernise the country's legislative arsenal and implement EU requirements for equal treatment. The new measures have become especially urgent since during the last decade, Greece has become an international node for immigrants from the Balkans, ex-Soviet states and Asia.

The proposed law is likely to have a wide application. It includes articles barring discrimination in access to employment, professional training, education, social insurance, health benefits and the purchase of products and services, including shelter. Victims will have access to a full system of legal protection, including the right to compensation. Employees and job applicants who prove discrimination can request reversal of an unfair dismissal or refusal to hire or promote, as long as they can demonstrate that they have the necessary background and experience.

Churches, however, will retain the right to demand of their employees that they are followers of the same religion.

The application of similar laws in other EU countries has been difficult, because it is not always easy to prove that a dismissal decision was based on discrimination. Thus, the Greek law places the burden on the defendant, who must prove that discrimination was not a factor. In other words, the defendant is "guilty until proven innocent". The law will be applied ex officio and without requiring formal complaint.

By George Anagnostopoulos for Southeast European Times in Athens

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