05. 04. 2024.

The Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes has presented its work and achievements at the first international conference of European alternative labour disputes resolution services entitled “The Settlement of Labour Disputes in Europe" which took place on April 5th, 2024, in Athens. The conference was organized under the auspices of the president of the Republic of Greece, Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and by the Organisation for Mediation and Arbitration, (O.ME.D. Greece) in collaboration with the Law School of Athens (NKUA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The conference was opened by the Deputy Minister of Labour of the Republic of Greece Mr. Vassilis Spanakis who welcomed the participants by expressing the hope that similar conferences would enhance the practice of amicable labour dispute settlement in Europe. Apart from the representative of the Agency and the Greek hosts, the conference was also attended by the delegations from alternative dispute resolution services of Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and Great Britan, the management of the most prominent Greek trade unions and employers’ associations, as well as the representatives of the scientific community.

In his address, the director of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, Dr Ivica Lazović presented the previous work and achievements of our Agency. He also reflected on the legal framework of the Agency’s actions and its competencies. Mr. Lazović has also informed the attendees about the way in which the arbiters and conciliators are selected and the role of social partners in that process. He presented the process of dispute settlement by the Agency while remarking that the disputes were resolved quickly, efficiently, and free of charge for all dispute parties. He finally concluded that such conferences were valuable for exchange of experiences and best practices, and that they held an enormous importance for the improvement of amicable labour dispute settlement.

The conference also gave birth to the initiative for the establishment of a European network of alternative labour dispute resolution organizations that would be joined by the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes. This network would enable continuous cooperation of member institutions with annual professional conferences.