The conflict between Labor Minister Adonis Georgiadis and the KKE continued today against the background of the labor bill that started yesterday in the Parliament, with the two sides exchanging characterizations and insults.

In particular, in the Plenary Session of the Parliament, the Minister of Labor spoke of “slutty” trade unionists who will be arrested when they close the entrances of businesses, with Thanasis Pafilis responding with characterizations such as “sluts” and “we don’t give a damn”.

“Like the Hatzidakis bill, it became a rag. So this bill will not pass in practice” emphasized the parliamentary representative of the KKE Thanasis Pafilis, during his presentation on the draft law “on 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 Labor Card – Upgrading the operational function of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Labor Inspectorate” in the Plenary.

The parliamentary representative of the KKE, referring to the questioning of the response of the workers to yesterday’s strike by the Minister of Labor and the parliamentarians of the ND, argued that “the workers, however, eventually went on strike, took part in large gatherings. And they wanted hundreds of thousands more to participate as well. We invite them to go to the class unions, to unite and throw out the working fathers and the servants of capital, because such are the GSEE that PASKE together with DAKE voted against the strike” Mr. Pafilis said that “the workers together with their class unions have the power to fight and pass these bills. And this bill will not pass in practice, just like the Hatzidakis law which became a rag in practice.” The parliamentary representative of the KKE called on the government “not to threaten us because we are not threatened”.

Mr. Pafilis stated that “there is not a single union, nor a federation that agrees with this bill”. He characterized it as “disgusting to tell us that “working fathers” participated in yesterday’s strike when there were thousands of workers” and stated that “in the food and beverage industry, participation was at 70%, in some places such as at the company “MIMIKOS” and “KELAITIS” which are large units, the participation was 100%, just like in 3E- Coca Cola, FAGE, DELTA and TASTY the participation reached 80%! In the company “ZAGORI” 90% and not a single employee joined, only the executives of the company. The construction companies died yesterday, as did all the iconic projects.”

The parliamentary representative of the KKE wondered “if anyone can understand what 13 hours in the building means. He would understand that this is playing with death every day. And this is what these workers realize, for this a decisive response was given yesterday, condemning this anti-worker act and without the leadership team of the sold-out GSEE, which is a minion of the employer”.

Mr. Pafilis said that “the labor reaction, as in all of Europe and America, is rising” and asked the government “to come down to reality, because those who vote for you, they will hunt you down.” Warning that “this stream of labor that you speak of will become a river and drown you all.”

The parliamentary representative said that the secretary and the members of the KKE “made wings and wings of your bill” noting that “in 2023, just talking about 13 hours of work shows the horrible face of your policy. And in fact, try to convince us that the employee wants it.”

The Minister of Labor, Adonis Georgiadis, responded to the parliamentary representative of the KKE by filing in the Minutes, an article of “Ef.Syn” which today, as he said, states that yesterday’s strike action “was another failed strike based on participation rates…”. In addition, the minister pointed out that in another report of the same newspaper it is stated that yesterday’s march in Thessaloniki did not end at the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace (thus against the government), “but you went and protested against the Workers’ Center of Thessaloniki which did not follow you”. Mr. Georgiadis also said that “because you ask me to tell you a union that is in favor of the bill, let me inform you that the president of GSEE, Mr. Panagopoulos, gave an interview for half an hour today, where he supported the positive aspects of the bill” and added: “It is a right to like Mr. Panagopoulos or not, but that does not negate the fact that he is the elected president of GSEE and if the workers’ unions below did not want him, they would overthrow him. He represents the workers in the private sector, so that we are in agreement.” The minister underlined that “the law that says that whoever, during a strike, obstructs an employee who wants to work, from the time it is voted by the Parliament will be implemented. In a state, laws are meant to be enforced. The democratic state is not a weak state. It is a state where its laws are democratically decided and implemented.”