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“On November 1 the contract for the concession of Piraeus Port comes into force,” announced the Greek Economics Minister Luka Katseli after a meeting with representatives of the Dock Workers Union.

The minister gave the green light for the piers representatives to start negotiations with COSCO’s subsidiary SEP aiming to establish consensus on various conditions contained the contract.  

The four major topics are: warehouse development plans, right-protection of the workers, the tax obligation and tax concession for the new owner, as well as the expected structural reformations.

Minister Katseli anoounced that, contrary to the workers demand, the contract was not broken and is expected to become effective as of November 1, 2009. The negotiations, however, will continue until all affected parties are satisfied.

We had the opportunity to discuss the position of the dock workers and we will have it in mind during the forthcoming dialogue. As a government, it is in our interest for the port to develop and improve. After the implementation of the new measures, Piraeus will start working in favor of the public interest and will provide citizens with significant improvement in services,” added Luka Katseli.

In regard to the four major topics, the Dock Workers Union expressed discontent with the ministerial position. “We want the government to express a more stable position and responsibility,” said the Unions chairman Georgos Georgopoulos. Asked if the protest activities are going to be renewed soon, Georgopoulos did not give a clear answer.

To remind, on October 19 this year, after an 18-day’s strike, the pier workers reached a decision to renew the normal working process until November 2- the second day after the contract with the Chinese COSCO becomes active.