GREECE: Greek seamen block port in strike

Record ID: 338688

  • Title: GREECE: Greek seamen block port in strike
  • Date: 27th April 2010
  • Summary: PIRAEUS, GREECE (APRIL 26 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PASSENGER FERRIES TIED AT DOCK VARIOUS OF PORT WORKERS AND SAILORS BLOCKING ENTRANCE TO FERRIES, SUPPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIST LABOUR MOVEMENT (SOUNDBITE) PRESIDENT OF THE SEAMENS UNION ANTONIS DALAKOGEORGIOS, SAYING "If the cabotage changes that were announced are implemented it will be the end of the Greek
  • Embargoed: 12th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAC2MA285JTA7LQHSEY0BVO3DS6
  • Story Text: Greek seamen on Monday (April 26) went on strike for a second time in a week, blocking passenger ferries from leaving the country's main port of Piraeus.
    The port workers and sailors are angry over the government's recent economic measures but also oppose a decision by the government to lift cabotage restrictions for all foreign cruise ships, in a first step to liberalise the country's labour market and boost the economy.
    The government announced the country would now allow non-EU flagged cruise ships to moor at its islands' ports and travel across the Greek islands as of this summer.
    Seamen said a change to the law would increase unemployment in their sector, as foreign flagged ships do not have to use Greek crews.
    "If the cabotage changes that were announced are implemented it will be the end of the Greek cruiseship seafaring trade, it will be the funeral for Greek sailors. We don't object to non-EU flagged ships carrying out cruises in our country, but with the condition that they hire a certain amount of Greek crewmen," said the Seamen's Union President Antonis Dalakogeorgios.
    The seamen are also opposed to the government austerity plan, which increases taxes on services and cuts benefits and bonuses.
    The government said opening Greece's sea to other countries' flags would increase hotel revenues and jobs in the tourism sector, at a time when Greece is suffering a debt crisis and high unemployment.
    The seamen were supported by the Communist Labour Movement, whose members belong to the Communist party, who came and joined the seamen in forming cordons across the entrances to the ships.
    The seamen threatened to also block any non-EU flagged cruise ships trying to dock at the port.
    The strike is one of many in the past months by various sectors over the government's measures to revive the economy and cut public waste.
    Greece has asked for an aid package from the European Union and International Monetary Fund after borrowing rates skyrocketed.
    Tourism officials have complained this strike was harming the tourism sector as tourists could not reach the islands, at a time when tourism revenues were significant for the economy. Tourists did not venture down to the port as they had been informed of the strike.
    The various strikes have caused inconvenience for the public but have not caused the government to waver in its program.
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