Article

 

The economic crisis and industrial relations: Greece and Romania in comparison (p.51-77)

by

George Economakis, Department of Business Administration, University of Patras

Valeriu Frunzaru, College of Communication and Public Relations, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration

Ioannis Zisimopoulos, Department of Business Administration, University of Patras

Keywords : Industrial Relations, Collective Bargaining, Economic Crisis, Greece, Romania

JEL classification : J52, J53

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate, in a comparative framework, the impact of the adjustment programs (Memoranda) in Greece and Romania, in the context of the global economic crisis. In Greece the crisis emerged as a twin (trade and fiscal) deficits crisis and in Romania it has taken the form of a public debt crisis. As a result, in Greece the austerity policy has directly affected employees both in private and public sectors, while in Romania it has focused in public servants. The decentralization of the collective bargaining system is a common feature in both countries. In Greece, decentralization occurs through the complete undermining of sectoral collective bargaining (decentralized decentralization), while in Romania through the weakening of the sectoral collective bargaining in favour of collective bargaining at enterprise level. The structure of employment in both countries determines the outcome of the process of decentralization.