Greece drafts law against sexual harassment at work

ATHENS, June 8 (Reuters) Greece has prepared a draft law that defines sexual harassment at work for the first time and envisages jail terms and substantial fines for offenders, the Labour Ministry said today.

A draft bill which effectively brings Greece into line with European Union directives, proposes a prison sentence of between six months and three years for those convicted of sexual harassment, as well as a minimum fine of 1,000 euros.

''The new legislation aims to safeguard the position of women in the workplace and ensure equality,'' a Labour Ministry official told Reuters.

The draft also contains measures to combat discrimination against women at work and promote equality.

Greece, where men have traditionally held dominant roles in society, is seen by many women's rights groups as among the last bastions of male chauvinism in the EU.

In a 2005 report, the World Economic Forum cited Greece as a European leader in gender inequality. Statistics for 2001 from the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) showed women's pay amounted to 76.2 per cent of men's pay.

The new law, which will go to parliament for approval this month, will also protect those who complain about harassment or testify about an incident at work and fear losing their job or other repercussions as a result.

REUTERS SK VC0440