Intervention to the Decentralized Administration for Immediate Measures to Improve Living and Working Conditions of Migrant Farm Workers. A memorandum was submitted with specific questions regarding the current conditions in migrant accommodations.
The Food and Beverage Workers’ Union of Western Achaia and Northern Ileia continues its interventions to all relevant authorities, demanding improved living conditions, enforcement of hygiene regulations in their accommodations (where they exist), assessment of the suitability of these facilities, and the execution of inspections on these matters, as well as addressing labor issues faced by thousands of persecuted migrant farm workers.
Yesterday, in collaboration with the Patras Labor Center, the Union met with the Secretary-General of the Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece, and the Ionian Islands, Stefanos Michos.
The delegation, led by the President of the Patras Labor Center, Dimitris Marmoutas, and the Union’s Secretary, Babis Veras, raised the Union’s concerns, both in person and through the memorandum submitted. These included the Decentralized Administration’s responsibilities regarding hygiene inspections in accommodations, adherence to urban planning regulations, and what is mandated in cases of non-compliance.
Additionally, they highlighted issues that came to light after the fire in the migrant camp of Nea Manolada, as well as problems identified through the union and labor center’s presence in camps and workplaces. They emphasized that this is an ongoing effort aimed at ensuring that the thousands of migrants in the region can live and work under humane conditions.
Questions Seeking Answers
The memorandum submitted to the Coordinator also posed the following questions:
Since the enactment of Decision No. 41835 (regarding the definition of health and safety standards for accommodations provided to third-country seasonal workers), has the Department of Immigration and Migration of the Decentralized Administration requested an inspection from the competent authority (Public Health and Environmental Hygiene Service of the Region of Western Greece) to verify compliance with hygiene standards in accommodations?
Has the Department requested from the municipalities’ construction services an inspection of the accommodation’s compliance with urban planning legislation, as specified in Article 3 of the Decision?
Have any sample inspections been conducted by these authorities since the enforcement of the decision, as required within their jurisdictions?
Were any violations of current legislation identified during such inspections? If so, did the relevant bodies recommend sanctions to the Decentralized Administration? And were these sanctions actually imposed?
The interventions made so far were also shared with the Coordinator, including those addressed to the Ministries of Migration Policy and Civil Protection, the municipalities of Western Achaia and Andravida–Kyllini, the Fire Department, and the meeting held with a delegation from the Embassy of Pakistan. It was stressed that this is a continuing effort, with a clear demand for the immediate implementation of necessary measures.
Necessary Inspections Must Be Conducted
Through the memorandum, it was also demanded that:
“The Decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greece, and the Ionian Islands must immediately ensure that all relevant inspection bodies carry out the legally mandated inspections to determine whether migrant worker accommodations meet the required standards.”
Finally, the leadership of the Decentralized Administration committed to providing a response within a few days and forwarding the workers’ and unions’ demands to the relevant ministries.
