Film director sends letter of solidarity to the fired campaigners

Ken Loach, the  English film and television director, has blasted the European Union, big corporations and politicians as ‘the enemies’ in a letter of solidarity to fired cleaning women of the Greek Ministry of Finance.

Loach lauds the ‘strength and determination’ of the cleaning ladies in their resistance to big interests which are ‘bringing poverty and insecurity to working people’.

The cleaning ladies were fired in September 2013 as part of the government’s drive to deregulate labour laws in Greece.  595 cleaners have been campaigning for their reinstatement  ever since.

A court ruled in April that the cleaners were unfairly dismissed but, after an appeal by the Ministry of Finance, the decision was suspended.

In September, Greece’s Supreme Court said the final decision will be made on February 24 2015.

Dear Friends,

I have heard of your situation from friends in England. What a story! Your strength and determination to fight for real jobs with fair wages is inspiring. We have many stories like yours here, as I’m sure you know.  The constant pressure to privatise our public services is destroying the services and bringing poverty and insecurity to working people. The European Union and big corporations, supported by the politicians, are formidable enemies. But you too are formidable!

We need to support each other, as you say. Paul Laverty, who writes our film scripts, including Bread & Roses, will be in Athens at the end of October for a couple of days (25 – 27th Oct). He may have a busy schedule at the film festival then, but he hopes he can meet with you then.

In the meantime, everyone here sends their greetings, solidarity and warmest good wishes.

Yours sincerely,
Ken Loach