Trade union front calls mass rally against labour bill

In a statement, PAME describes the draft law as a ‘wretched bill’ and calls on workers to join the work stoppage declared by the Labour Centres of Athens, Piraeus and Lavrio – Eastern Attica from noon to 4pm. A rally against the bill is scheduled for 1pm at Syntagma Square, followed by a gathering at 4pm to welcome farmers arriving in Athens for a nationwide mobilisation.

PAME argues that the joint struggle of workers, farmers and the self-employed is ‘the only force’ capable of overturning what it calls anti-people policies and opening the way to measures benefiting the social majority.

In its full statement, PAME says:

‘The New Democracy government is bringing to parliament for a vote the wretched agreement on collective bargaining agreements that it co-wrote with the sold-out leadership of the GSEE and SEV. A bill that gives collective agreements a free pass, freezes wages for the profits of business groups.’

It rejects government claims of a ‘restoration of collective bargaining agreements’ as ‘laughable and deplorable’, arguing that the anti-labour memorandum laws remain fully in place. It adds that the determination of the minimum wage will continue to lie with the government, which will set it through an ‘infamous algorithm’, based on fiscal strength, corporate profits and inflation, rather than workers’ needs.

According to PAME, new obstacles are introduced to the signing of company-level and sectoral collective agreements. It criticises the maintenance of the electronic union registry at GEMISOE, noting that employers are not required to maintain a corresponding register, and that unions will be obliged to prove that agreements do not ‘affect the competitiveness’ of capital.

The statement further claims that exemptions allowing companies to opt out of sectoral agreements are being institutionalised under the pretext of ‘financial problems’ or other exceptions to be defined by ministerial decisions. It also accuses the leadership of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) of being upgraded to the role of ‘gatekeeper’, with the power to intervene in the formation and conclusion of sectoral agreements.

PAME alleges that the agreement was negotiated over ten months by employers and what it describes as a ‘union mafia’, which it claims is under investigation for bribes amounting to millions of euros. It also criticises PASOK, New Democracy and SYRIZA-affiliated trade unionists within the GSEE administration, accusing them of applauding the deal while being disconnected from workers’ struggles.

It further alleges that, while unions, federations and labour centres were organising against the 13-hour working day, the GSEE leadership was negotiating in secret with the labour minister and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV).

PAME calls for strengthened organisation within unions and renewed demands for collective agreements with wage increases, a seven-hour working day, a five-day week and a 35-hour working week, alongside stronger health and safety measures and the restoration of free collective bargaining and a National General Collective Agreement.

‘The mass and organised struggle is the only way. Against the policy of the EU, governments, the policy of profit, exploitation and involvement in the imperialist wars of the USA – NATO – EU. We raise a great workers’ and people’s blockade against capitalist barbarity. The power is in our own hands!’ the statement concludes.

Referring to recent mobilisations by farmers and livestock breeders, PAME says their ‘long, unyielding struggle’ forced the government onto the defensive, despite attempts to intimidate them and turn public opinion against them.

It calls on all unions and workers to take part in the work stoppage from 12pm to 4pm and the 1pm rally at Syntagma Square against what it describes as the ‘government – SEV – GSEE bill’. At 4pm, it adds, demonstrators will welcome farmers arriving in Athens with their tractors for a nationwide rally.

‘The struggle of workers, farmers and the self-employed is the only force that can overturn the anti-people policy that sacrifices our lives for the profits of the few and pave the way for the benefit of the people. Everyone to the rallies – everyone to the unions!’

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