“The exact reason we are voting on the relevant article of the bill is to stop the phenomena that occurred yesterday outside of Cosco, which is on strike, they closed the entrance to the facilities and did not allow the workers to work,” said the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Adonis Georgiadis of Insurance, during the discussion of the bill “for the strengthening of work – Incorporation of Directive (EU) 2019/1152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019 – Simplification of digital processes and strengthening of the Work Card – Upgrading the operational function of Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Labor Inspectorate” in the Plenary.

The minister responded to the report of KKE MP Nikos Abatielos that “yesterday the response to the bill was given by Piraeus and the Cosco workers, who all went on strike and it remained closed”.

Mr. Georgiadis said that “that is exactly why this article of the bill is coming and will be passed to stop such phenomena of going outside the factories and closing the entrance, preventing the workers who want to work».

The Cosco workers, the minister said, “had informed the company in writing that they wanted to work, that’s why they will be paid” and added that “what you (the PAME) are doing yesterday at Cosco is the definition of why this provision is needed . These are over from the day after tomorrow. You will not close the entrance by force yourself. End of story. If someone wants to strike, they will strike, if someone wants to work, they will work, but the tyranny of the KKE is over.”

The parliamentary representative of the KKE Thanasis Pafilis, countered the minister that “really, you’re telling us that 1,000 Cosco workers were prevented from going to work? Are you going to drive us crazy? Could 100 outsiders stop 1,000 workers? How provocative are these things you say? For what reason; Are you with Cosco or the workers? It’s okay to admit that Cosco didn’t work. And it didn’t work because the workers there have experience” and added that “if you think you’re getting away with this law to criminalize the strike, read history, because when the workers rally they don’t get chewed out like that.”