Country profile GRC
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2013-03-20 : 2019-06-11 | C182 | Law 4139/2013 (ΦΕΚ Α 74/20.03.2013) on Narcotic Drugs - Article 23 ; Penal Code - Article 323A | [{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/529099"},{"link_name":"-Law 4139/2013 (ΦΕΚ Α 74/20.03.2013) on Narcotic Drugs","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/71221"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 323A of the Penal Code addresses human trafficking and includes provisions against forcing children into illicit activities. Law 4139/2013 (ΦΕΚ Α 74/20.03.2013) on Narcotic Drugs specifically criminalises the involvement of minors in drug-related activities, including production, trafficking, and distribution (Article 20). Additionally, Article 23 provides for enhanced penalties when minors are involved in drug-related offences. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2019-06-11 | C182 | 95/11.06.2019 Sanction of the Penal Code - Article 348A, Article 349 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/529099"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article 348A of the Penal Code prohibits the production, distribution, and possession of child pornographic material. Severe penalties are imposed on those involved in the production or distribution of such material. Article 349 of the Penal Code criminalises the act of procuring a child for prostitution and defines the penalties for those who facilitate or promote child prostitution. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2019-06-11 | C182 | 95/11.06.2019 Sanction of the Penal Code - Article 323a (4) | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/529099"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Article 323a (4) on Human trafficking of the Penal code criminalises recruiting a minor with the aim of using him in armed operations. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2002-10-15 ; 2019-06-11 | C182 | Law 3064 GOVERNMENT 248/15.10.2002 FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING - Articles 1, 6 and 7 ; Penal Code - Article 323a | [{"link_name":"-Law 3064","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/177486"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/529099"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article 1 of Law 3064 against human trafficking defines human trafficking and criminalises the sale and trafficking of children for labour exploitation. Articles 6 and 7 criminalise the use of children for prostitution and pornography. Article 323a of the Penal Code criminalises human trafficking and provides harsher sentences when directed at a minor, covering both labour and sexual exploitation. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1998-03-18 | C138 & C182 | Presidential Decree 62/1998 (ΦΕΚ Α 67/18.03.1998) MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIVE 94\33\EC - Annex II of Article 11 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree 62/1998","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/408995/p.d.-62-1998"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Annex II of Article 11 of the Decree provides a list of more specific jobs considered dangerous, heavy, unhealthy, and generally jobs that harm mental health and hinder the free development of the personality of young people, which are prohibited to children under 18. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1998-03-18 | C138 & C182 | Presidential Decree 62/1998 (ΦΕΚ Α 67/18.03.1998) MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIVE 94\33\EC - Section 7(5) | [{"link_name":"-Presidential Decree 62/1998","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4326837,102658:NO"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4326837,102658"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | CEACR Observation adopted in 2023 on C138, mentions the adoption of the new Law No. 4763/2020 on the national system of vocational education, training, and lifelong learning. It notes the Government’s statement that Section 7(5) of Decree No. 62/1988 – permitting the employment of young persons from the age of 15 in work that is liable to prejudice their health, safety, or development where such work is necessary for their vocational training – is the only exception to the general prohibition of the engagement of minors under 18 years in hazardous work. The Government has not taken the necessary measures to amend section 7(5) by raising the age of admission to hazardous work in vocational training to 16 years. Considering that it has been raising this issue for more than 20 years, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures, without delay, to ensure that the minimum age for the exemptions from the prohibition on the employment of young persons in hazardous work, as laid down in section 7(5) of Presidential Decree No. 62/1988, will be raised to at least 16 years, so as to be in compliance with Article 3(3) of the Convention. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | No information | C138 | No information | [{"link_name":"No information","source_link":"No information"}] | No | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | No information |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1985-09-30 | C138 | Law 1566 Official Gazette A΄167/30.9.1985 Structure and operation of primary and secondary education and other provisions - Article 2 | [{"link_name":"Law 1566 Official Gazette A΄167/30.9.1985","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/276374/nomos-1566-1985"}] | No | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Article 2, paragraph 3 of the Education Law specifies that attendance is compulsory in kindergarten, primary school, and high school, as long as the student has not exceeded 16 years of age. This is one year older than the minimum age for admission to work. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1998-03-18 | C138 | Presidential Decree 62/1998 (ΦΕΚ Α 67/18.03.1998) MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIVE 94\33\EC - Article 5 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree 62/1998","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/408995/p.d.-62-1998"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Article 5 of the Presidential Decree outlines the conditions under which children as young as 3 years old may be employed in cultural and related activities. No other mention was found regarding light work. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1998-03-18 | C138 | Presidential Decree 62/1998 (ΦΕΚ Α 67/18.03.1998) MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIVE 94\33\EC - Article 5 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree 62/1998","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/408995/p.d.-62-1998"}] | N/A | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Article 5 of the Presidential Decree outlines the conditions under which children as young as 3 years old may be employed in cultural and related activities. No other mention was found regarding light work |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1998-03-18 | C138 | Presidential Decree 62/1998 (ΦΕΚ Α 67/18.03.1998) MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIVE 94\33\EC - Articles 2, 4, and 5 | [{"link_name":"Presidential Decree 62/1998","source_link":"https://www.kodiko.gr/nomothesia/document/408995/p.d.-62-1998"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Articles 2, 4, and 5 of the Presidential Decree state that children under the age of 15 years are prohibited from working, with specific exceptions for cultural, artistic, sporting, or advertising activities, provided that the employment is not harmful and does not affect their school attendance or their ability to benefit from education. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 06-NOV-2001 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 14-MAR-1986 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In its Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted in 2023 on C138, the Committee notes that the government adopted the National Action Plan (NAP) on the Rights of the Child 2021-2023 in June 2021, but that the NAP does not refer to the issue of child labour, and that the GSEE was not officially invited to participate in its drafting and preparation. The Committee recalls that Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146), recommend that, to ensure the success of the national policy required under Article 1 of the Convention, special attention should be given to such areas of planning as national commitment to full employment, poverty alleviation, social security measures aimed at ensuring child maintenance, and adequate facilities for education and vocational training, as well as child protection and welfare. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether such objectives are aimed for under the NAP on the Rights of the Child 2021-2023 and, accordingly, to provide information on the impact of the NAP on the elimination of child labour in the country. Moreover, it strongly encourages the Government to consult with the representative organisations of workers and employers in developing, adopting, and implementing all national policies that may have an impact on the elimination of child labour. | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13101:0::NO:13101:P13101_COMMENT_ID:4326837"}] | 2021-2023 | National Action Plan (NAP) on the Rights of the Child | No information |