A female employee of a company that sells confectionery products, “Kouvarakis,” in Sitia, Crete, reported several cases of mistreatment to labour inspection services.
“They offend us, beat us, burn us, and force us to wash their clothes.” said the woman, describing the cruel working conditions. ” We work 15 hours a day, we are not allowed to talk to each other, we are forced to cook for them and we only get paid 3 euros per hour without insurance.”
The head of the labor inspection service in Lassithi, Crete, Greece, who immediately conducted an investigation, talked about the way in which employers use the law for their benefit and to cover their offenses. “During the audit, if a violation of working hours is detected, the employer has the right to submit changes in the schedule, within the next 48 hours. Consequently I can’t impose penalties.” he said.
He also reported that in many cases, employers even threaten the labor inspectors.
The head of the labor inspection service in Lassithi, has asked the Greek Minister of Labour to amend the law which provides this 48-hours period of grace, so that the inspection services can impose penalties for other offenses in addition to undeclared work.
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