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The workers in the shipyard Skaramanga will not hesitate to go out on the streets as a sign of protest against the transfer of the company in the hands of Abu Dabi Mar through procedures which are characterized as not transparent. They asked for a meeting with the responsible ministers – Luka Katseli – minister of economics and merchant marine, Mr. Evangelos Venizelos – minister of defense, and Mr. Teodoros Pangalos.

The German company ThyssenKrupp has been the owner of the shipyard for eight years. In the beginning the workers hoped that the technical and managerial skills of the company will help for the development of new projects as well as maintaining the current activities. With sorrow the representatives of the employees in the shipyard are saying that ThyssenKrupp not only did not undertake any initiative, but has also neglected the already existing activities of the shipyard except for the production of arming systems.

According to the chairman of the Greek Union Giannis Panagopulos the Germans managed to deceive the country with the undertaking of a large order for the construction of the submarines. They received an advance payment, however they never submitted a single submarine, said the people present at the meeting which was organized by the unions in the building of GSEE.

“We are talking about a big shipyard, however the government is to a certain extent responsible for its ruining. Trading and technology should have been developed in order to create work” said Mr. Panagopulos asking the rhetorical question about the role of the government which is expected to take a position and come out with a decision.

“The workers have a plan and opinion about the saving of the shipyard – how to develop it, but also to help for the development of the region as well as opening new job positions” added the president of the union, who concluded that there is a future for the shipyard, however it is necessary to have a clear planning of the activities and taking of the control by the state.  

“Skaramanga is a giant in which nobody is working and this is pity. For ten months 160 people are staying without salaries” said Vasilis Karakitsios president of the union of the people working in the shipyard. Minister of defence Elevterios Venizelos said that the government could save the situation, however decisions have to be taken, noticed Mr. Karakitsios.

What we know is that if the shipyard is transferred to Abu Dabi another 250 people will be laid off announced the fears of the workers in Skaramanga Mr. Giannis Stefanopoulos, chairman of the organization of the workers in the shipyard.