With an extremely aggressive and provocative rhetoric, the party's president and prime minister, Kir. Mitsotakis.
Speaking about the anti-worker bill being prepared by the Labour Ministry, Mitsotakis described the eight-hour work week as a «ghost from the past», while he claimed that the changes planned would only apply if the worker requests them.
«With this law, the government is looking at the reality of the labour market,» Kir. Mitsotakis said in his speech. He continued: “It opens its ears to the truth and talks to the real world of work and not to a ghost from the past; it combines the prospects of individual prosperity with the development of the national economy for the benefit of all. In short, it puts the worker and the progress of the country first.”.
Attempting to make black and white, the prime minister also claimed that “the eight-hour day remains enshrined as it is”. And he went on to say that privatisation is the right of the worker: “What is being added is the right of the worker to ask himself, in consultation with his employer, to work longer for a period of time, earning in leave, at a time of his own choosing.”.
Vaccine euphemisms at a time when worldwide postponements are on the rise
On the pandemic front, Mitsotakis referred to vaccinations as an “ally” for overcoming the pandemic, avoiding to take a position on the latest developments regarding the postponement of vaccinations internationally with both the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines. He confined himself to wishing the best and being an observer of developments.
Specifically, Mitsotakis said that “we are also following the developments”. And then he continued: “I believe, I hope, I hope that the delay of the data on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be temporary, but in no way - and I want to repeat this - no one is questioning the safety, but above all the importance of vaccines to be able to deal with the pandemic.”.
M. Xenogiannakopoulou: So simple and so functional... Mr Mitsotakis abolishes the eight-hour day!
In a statement, the head of the Labour Department of SYRIZA-PS said in relation to what Mitsotakis said about the promoted changes:
«The speech of Mr Mitsotakis today at the ND's Central Committee is a a monument to the challenge and mockery of workers. He referred to the labour roller, saying that «the government with this law is looking the reality of the labour market in the eyes», obviously meaning the reality of the crisis, the reduction of wages, deregulation and flexible work without collective bargaining and control, which the government of the New Democracy has imposed. Moreover, according to Mitsotakis, the struggles and sacrifices of the labour movement and social rights are a «ghost from the past»! Referring to the anti-labour bill and the attack on trade union rights, he said that «after forty years, it finally brings European standards for the Greek worker». Let us remind Mitsotakis that the Lisbon Treaty mentions the right to strike and collective bargaining., and Law 1264/82 enshrined for the first time in our country the basic trade union freedoms, reflecting the democratic and social acquis of the post-independence period, which the government challenges at every opportunity! However, the highlight of Mitsotakis« speech is undoubtedly his quote that the abolition of the eight-hour day after 100 years »is the right of the worker to ask himself, in consultation with his employer, to work longer for a period of time, earning in leave, at a time of his own choosing. So simple. so functional." The labour jungle of cheap and flexible labour without rules, rights and trade union freedoms is the «narrative» of the Mitsotakis government for the society of the 21st century! The workers will give a loud response to the reactionary plans of the government. SYRIZA Progressive Alliance stands by the side of the workers and we will resolutely fight the battle in Parliament and in society!»
KKE: The workers have the say
In a comment on Mitsotakis« speech, the KKE Press Office said: “Mr Mitsotakis, referring to the draft bill on labour, noted that ”at last, the dismissal compensation for manual workers is equalized with that of other employees. A long-standing demand of the KKE is being fulfilled by a centre-right government». What the prime minister forgot is that under the laws of the three memoranda, passed and implemented by all governments, the wages on which severance pay is calculated have been halved. The compensation he refers to has already been levelled down, while the laws liberalising redundancies have given employers all the tools to pay even lower compensation. For example, if the employer gives a few months' notice of the dismissal of an employee, the compensation paid is also halved. Mr Mitsotakis is resorting to cheap tricks to legitimise the twists and turns of the century. The workers now have the floor.".
