We stand with the port workers and all the people of Piraeus

Rally today, Monday, January 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Plateia Iroon in Perama to remove the cauldrons of death

The Teleperformance Workers’ Union is participating in the rally, following a call by the ENEDEP union, to demonstrate together and demand that the cauldrons of death be removed and that the state take responsibility for developing a plan to protect our lives.

The fire over the weekend in a fuel pipeline at Coral Gas, in the urban area of Perama, a few meters from the port docks, and the lack of measures taken to protect the lives of workers and citizens prove once again that our lives are of little or no importance to them.

Port workers continued to work as normal while the fire burned and the risk of explosion, which would have left the priest with no bodies to bury, was immediate and enormous. After decisive intervention by members of the ENEDEP union, the workers stopped and left the port, where their employers had kept them trapped in the SEMPO parking lot. In other words, even closer to the source of the fire!

Three hours after the fire started, the only measure taken was to call 112 to close the windows in January, when the temperature was 7 degrees Celsius.

The mayor of Perama, who is in love with Cosco’s management, declared himself incompetent and shamelessly prevented residents who were panicking and wanted to leave, even though there were no escape routes, no evacuation plan, and no clear instructions for the protection of port workers and residents.

The EU also bears enormous responsibility, as a series of directives, which were incorporated into Greek legislation by all previous governments, have shaped the strategic framework for industrial activities based not on the protection of public health but on the profitability of business groups, while at the same time giving “free rein” to dangerous and polluting infrastructure to operate within (!) or very close to residential areas. 

Together with the port workers and the people of Piraeus, we are giving the response that is needed. We will not let anyone play with our lives so that the capitalists can get rich!

We demand:

§ The removal of the cauldrons of death from Perama. The immediate relocation of all oil tanks (active and inactive) outside the residential area, with all necessary environmental measures.

§ Reopening of the Perama Health Center – First Aid Station, with work to begin immediately. Until then, staffing with personnel, medical specialists, and logistical infrastructure for all Perama health facilities and the Keratsini Health Center.

§ Not an inch of Armos should be given over to business plans. Armos should be handed over to the people of Perama for their recreation, without any business activity. Its infrastructure should house the city’s cultural and sports clubs.

§ The land on which the reservoirs are located should be returned to the people of Perama, through expropriation, without compensation. It should be converted into open spaces for the people. 

Everyone to the demonstration today, January 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Plateia Hroon in Perama!