Greece’s appeal to its Court The European Union due to the complete failure to comply with obligations regarding the collection and treatment of urban waste water, as well as the failure of national rules to comply with EU legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications, decided Commission.
According to the European Commission, despite the progress made, the Greek authorities have not yet fully refuted the objections. The Commission considers that the efforts made so far by the Greek authorities are insufficient and is therefore referring Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
As regards Directive 91/271/EEC, it aims to protect human health and the environment by requiring the collection and treatment of urban waste water before it is discharged into the environment.
The Commission sent Greece a warning letter in May 2020 and subsequently a reasoned opinion in December 2021.
To meet the directive’s requirements, Greece will have to build new infrastructure in several settlements and modernise existing infrastructure in others.
Regarding the referral of Greece due to non-compliance of national rules with EU legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications.
EU rules have helped establish a modern system for recognising professional qualifications across the EU. They make it easier for professionals to provide their services in different Member States. The Commission considers that the Greek rules are not in line with Directive 2005/36/EC, as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU, on the recognition of professional qualifications, and with Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TSE).
The Commission sent a warning letter to Greece in September 2022 and a reasoned opinion on 19 April 2023. However, Greece has not yet ensured that its national rules comply with EU law on the recognition of professional qualifications.
EU rules require a Member State to recognise professional qualifications obtained in another Member State and to allow the holder of such qualifications to practise the same profession in its territory. The rules also impose transparency and proportionality obligations on Member States.
Warning letter regarding discrimination against workers with fixed-term contracts
Finally, the European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a warning letter to Greece, due to the incorrect transposition into its national law of the European directive, which prohibits the introduction of discrimination against workers with fixed-term contracts.
Greek law provides for less favourable employment conditions for teachers with fixed-term contracts working in public schools compared to permanent teachers, for example in terms of maternity leave and sick leave. For this reason, the Commission is sending a warning letter to Greece, which now has two months to respond and eliminate the deficiencies highlighted by the Commission. If the Commission does not receive a satisfactory response, it may decide to send a reasoned opinion.
Source: RES-MPE