Our union has repeatedly denounced the unacceptable living and working conditions of migrant agricultural workers, demanding access to proper housing, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and dignified living conditions for all workers. Serious responsibility lies with the current ND government, as well as previous SYRIZA and PASOK governments, which for years have left thousands of Greek and migrant workers unprotected, living and working in inhumane conditions in order to protect the profits of large business groups.
Our concern is growing following reports that dozens of migrant farm workers from countries such as Nepal, Sudan, and Bangladesh are currently hospitalized at the University Hospital of Rio with symptoms of tuberculosis.
Workers in the Food and Beverage sector know very well what exploitation means: exhausting shifts, low wages, labor intensification, insecure working conditions, and lack of health and safety protections. Long hours of standing, repetitive movements, and heavy lifting cause serious health problems, while workplaces increasingly become dangerous environments. Only a few months ago, a worker at a packing facility in Varda suffered severe injuries to her arm and hand while working on packaging machinery.
The tragic incident at the VIOLANTA factory also proved that workplace “accidents” are not isolated moments of bad luck, but the result of policies that sacrifice workers’ health and safety for profitability. Women workers face even greater pressure, as many are forced to work in positions that severely affect both their health and personal lives.
We demand immediately:
- Full investigation and monitoring of all confirmed tuberculosis cases, including epidemiological surveillance and contact tracing.
- Free and complete medical treatment for all positive cases, including latent tuberculosis cases.
- Preventive medical and epidemiological screening for all Greek and migrant workers in the affected areas.
- Full support for hospitalized workers and protection of their wages and income.
- Vaccination of all workers according to health needs and living conditions.
- Immediate creation and staffing of properly equipped healthcare facilities in the area.
- Safe and dignified accommodation for migrant workers.
- Equal rights for Greek and migrant workers regarding wages, insurance, benefits, and health and safety protections.
- Legal documents and residence permits to ensure access to healthcare, AMKA registration, and medical certification.
- Five-day workweek – 8-hour workday – 40-hour workweek for all workers.
