Η the ongoing crisis in the ferry transport sector has caused strong dissatisfaction in island communities, with the PENEN to express its support to the inhabitants of the isolated islands. In its resolution, the Union denounces the policy of the government and shipowners, leading to poor connections, increased costs and degradation of services, leaving the islands at the mercy of isolation.
The situation in the Kythera, Antikythera, the North Aegean and the Cyclades is deteriorating, as the lack of ships and the inconsistency of the itineraries condemn local communities to transport isolation.
Η PENEN demands immediate solutions, supporting the struggle of the islanders for safe, affordable and reliable ferry connections. The following is the nugget.
Resolution
We are on the side of the islanders for safe and quality shipping services, for a substantial connection, especially for the islands that are suffering from the policy of shipowners and the government.
One more winter that the transport network of the Greek islands is proving to be deeply problematic due to the policy of shipowners and the government.
The problems on the Coast connection Piraeus - Kythera - Antikythera, the North Aegean line and the intra-cyclical connections have provoked a wave of anger from municipal authorities, local people's organisations and residents who find abandonment, contempt and disdain.
They rightly complain that they are treated as second class citizens.
The poor state planning, the arbitrariness of the shipping companies, the pressure and blackmail for increases in the state subsidy of the barren lines in combination with the very expensive ferry tickets, the incessant hunt for even greater profits, form an unacceptable regime, the victims of which are dozens of our islands that are isolated and cut off from the necessary coastal connection.
This situation shows the inability of the state and its services to defend in the most basic way the connection between the mainland and the entire island complex.
It is an aspect of the same policy that accumulates and exacerbates the problems of seafarers, that discounts safety, labour rights and imposes an exhausting and dangerous system of work on ships.
The Management of PENEN is firmly on the side of the islanders, the workers, the local people's organisations and unites its voice with them demanding an end to the shipping problem here and now.
The Management
