Ships to resume operations on Wednesday

The discontinuing of the strike was decided by the Executive Committee of the Panhellenic Maritime Federation through a majority vote.

The Federation, with 9 votes in favor, 5 against and one blank vote, ended with the non-launching of new 48h strikes, respecting the critical phase the country is in, but mostly the productive classes and passengers.

“People have been ‘destroyed’ by everything that has happened. We decided not to contribute to the deterioration of the situation which would affect the productive classes and their passengers”, general PMF secretary captain Ioannis Halas stated to protothema.gr.

The PMF was the first to begin a full frontal attack against the government in response to the memorandum policy, giving the message that it would not back down. It would be a crash test for the government just before the elections.

The maritime workers apparently did not want to bear the burden of clashing with a suffering society alone, with professionals ruined and Easter vacations in view. It also did not want to undermine the climate of the upcoming elections. Surely all of the above counted since the government did not change its stance.

Earlier, there had been  a PMF meeting with Ministers of Competitiveness, Development and Shipping, Anna Diamantopoulou, and Labour and Social Insurance, George Koutroumanis.

After meeting with the PMF, the Minister of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, Mrs. Diamantopoulou, stated:

“At today’s meeting with the PMF we presented a written response to all the issues set forth by the PMF, after the cooperation of all relevant ministries during the past few days. I believe our meeting took place in a very positive climate and we all decided on the great importance of a deal during this critical time for the country, the economy and the citizens”.

The government’s position towards the demands of the seamen as presented in the meetings was clear:

“On NAT:
- Pensioners of NAT amount to 72,000, while the insured amount to 16800
- For said pensions and other benefits to be deposited, the Fund is financed by the state budget annually with 1.050.000.000, thus every pensioner is entitlted to 14580 euros per annum, when in IKA the same pension comes to 2000 euros per annum.
- The average pension adds up to 973 euros, while in IKA it comes to 740 euros.Note that NAT, despite its policy, is the only fund in the country which in 2010 increased its pensions. This raise is annulled with the latest decision.
- The Navy House in 2011 had a pharmaceutical spending gap of 100% compared to the budgeted expenditure, while the fund does not have a service network for seafarers and their families in many of the country’s regions.
- Based on recent actuarial studies, the auxiliary fund should reduce supplementary pensions by 80% in order to become viable.

So, with this data and due to the fact that the state must ensure the rights of seafarers, but also to ensure expenditure control, the government has directed:

- The inclusion of NAT in the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, so that the rules of operations are enforced, as with all insurance funds. This transfer will be carried out without any changes to the pension scheme for seafarers, which recognizes the specificity of the profession.
- The membership of the Navy House only for health care in kind (doctors, drugs, tests, hospitalization) in EOPYY in order to reduce costs and offer better service to employees and retired seafarers and their families.
- The maintenance of the Navy House in the new Single Auxiliary Fund for employees without reduction of supplementary pensions. Furthermore, no reduction is made in supplementary pensions for seafarers.
- Securing the employment relationship for all personnel serving at the seafarers union.
- Maintaining the independence of the funds and sectors financed exlusively by contributions by workers and employers.

The government’s choice is to rescue the naval funds and reaffirm their rights, which can be achieved through renegotiation in this area and the implementation of the same operating rules that apply to all funds.

The PMF’s view is contrary, as in “not changing anything”, which in turn leads to an insecure future for seafarers, pensioners and their families. It leads to an inability to meet objectives and obligations and the collapse of benefits”.

What farmers in Crete stated:

An appeal to maritime workers not to extend their strike for a second 48h was made by Cretan farmers and institutions of the trade world.

According to information Cretan producers, who are expected to rally at the port of Heraklion, are asking that a ship operates on the route every two-three days so that perishable products are unaffected.