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Greek government to have thousands of migrants work in agriculture

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Greek government to have thousands of migrants work in agriculture

The Greek government is planning to create a “job vacancy” scheme where refugees and migrants can find seasonal work in the agriculture fields. The scheme aims to revitalise the countryside and the rural economy.

According to an exclusive report by daily ‘Ta Nea‘, the government plans a “migrants’ job agency” for farmers, a so-called “migrants’ OAED” for farmers so that they can find workers for their fields.

“Workers for seasonal jobs and for various crops are sought all over the county,” the daily notes adding that the government and the relevant ministries have set up a committee assigned to find a solution to the problem.

The “migrants’ jobs agency” is scheduled to be implemented initially as a pilot program and thus in the Prefecture of Imathia in West Macedonia, a region with rich agriculture.

About 80 cooperatives will have a list of the number of employees they need for seasonal work and the needed working time and will work with the local OAED agencies.

The plan is being developed by the Ministry for Rural Development in collaboration with the Ministries of Migration Policy, of Labor and the state “Employment Agency” (OAED.)

“The idea is simple and can bring things upside down, both in terms of the management of Refugee-Migration, as well as in revitalising the countryside and the rural economy,” the daily notes.

According to the daily, “there are currently about 66,000 refugees and immigrants in Greece who are registered, are legal and have social security number AMKA.”

Employed from this manpower tank” will be those who are needed for agricultural work throughout Greece. From harvesting olives in Crete, to the production of citrus fruits, cotton etc.

The advantage with respect to workers from Albania or other countries is that they will be registered and officially insured at the unified social security fund EFKA, so that farmers can register the salaries expenses at their tax declaration, ‘Ta Nea‘ stresses.

It is noted that according to the newspaper, Greek producers are unable to find cheap labor hands. That’s why they bring workers from Albania for 2-3 months, but as they say, there is a problem with both consulate procedures and visas as well as with the workers’ insurance rights.

The government plan can solve several problems of the local farming sector, boost the Greek countryside and the agricultural economy, ‘Ta Nea‘ notes.

Sourced via Keep Talking Greece.

UN to post EEZ maps of Libya, Turkey deal

The Greek Herald
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UN to post EEZ maps of Libya, Turkey deal

Athens is bracing for the United Nations’ Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea to post the geographical coordinates outlined in the maritime border agreement signed by Turkey and the Tripoli-based government in Libya on November 29, 2019. 

The inclusion of the memorandum’s sea zone maps in the UN’s database is expected to give them an official character, much to the concern of Athens, which is preparing for whatever consequence this may entail.

Greece, which is situated geographically between Turkey and Libya, has vehemently denounced the memorandum as illegal and a blatant violation of its sovereignty.

For its part, Turkey has conveyed that the posting of the maps by the UN will essentially make the memorandum official and will pave the way for Ankara to begin exploratory drilling activities for natural resources in the maritime zones that are outlined in the accord as part of Turkey’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including an area off southern Crete. 

Based on the geographical distortions Turkey has introduced in order to justify the meeting of its EEZ with that of Libya’s, the islands of Kasos, Karpathos, Kastellorizo and Rhodes are completely overlooked. Moreover, Turkey’s maps show the larger island of Crete as having a limited effect on the process of delimiting an EEZ.

On the contrary, in order to achieve this delimitation with Libya, Ankara has relied on uninhabited Turkish islets, which are assigned full effect in determining the EEZ.

Athens has sought to highlight these distortions at the highest diplomatic level. However, given that the memorandum is a bilateral agreement between two internationally recognized governments, its objections are excepted to achieve only limited results.

Sourced via Ekathimerini.

Greeks express solidarity with Chinese people in coronavirus outbreak

The Greek Herald
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Greeks express solidarity with Chinese people in coronavirus outbreak

The pedestrian path at the foot of the Acropolis hill in the heart of Athens was lit red on Friday evening for an hour, as Greeks and Chinese people living in Greece held a symbolic gathering and walked around the neighbourhood holding Chinese red lanterns.

Under the auspices of the City of Athens, the Chamber of Greek-Chinese Economic Cooperation, along with business associations of the Chinese community in Athens and other groups representing citizens of Athens, organised the event to express solidarity with the Chinese people who are battling the novel coronavirus outbreak and stigmatisation.

“We feel obliged … this is something we feel deep in our souls, to offer support, to tell them we are here, standing by their side, they are in our thoughts, they have our solidarity. This is very important and we see it from their reactions to our emails,” said Fotis Provatas, president of the chamber and former vice mayor of Athens.

George Vernicos, president of the Economic and Social Council of Greece, general secretary of the Greek Tourism Confederation and general secretary of the chamber, was also among the participants.

“There are very close ties connecting Greeks and Chinese historically and culturally. Whatever concerns China affects us and we feel the impact immediately. Therefore, we wish to send a message of friendship and solidarity that we stand by their side in this difficult period,” Vernicos said.

“We are here to send a message of solidarity with Chinese people. We are all Chinese,” said Stavros Monemvasiotis, member of the Chamber of Greek-Chinese Economic Cooperation.

“We hope that this will be over very soon so that we continue our creative cooperation,” said Kostas Konstantinidis, managing director of a company specializing in digital consultancy in culture, which has been promoting China-Greece cultural exchanges in recent years.

Culture has been a strong link between China and Greece, the two ancient civilizations, and cultural exchanges between them have increased in recent years, strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation in many other fields.

Ilias Chatzichristodoulou, director of Athens Digital Arts festival and member of the chamber, communicates with his Chinese friends every day via emails. They are organizing performances by Greek artists in China this May. The coronavirus epidemic is a factor which worries them, but has not derailed their plan.

“Everybody’s heart, including people in Greece, should be this bright,” he said, raising the Chinese red lantern.

“This bullying we are witnessing currently should not exist,” he added, referring to the discrimination against Chinese people in a few countries recently.

“It is obvious that this is racism expressed by people with no education and no brains. But it is still a dangerous racism. It is equally dangerous if it is against Chinese or Africans or Europeans. We should be and we will be decisive in addressing this phenomenon in Greece and Europe as a whole,” Provatas told Xinhua.

Many Chinese have been living and working in Greece for years, forging strong bonds of friendship with Greeks.

“We live together as brothers for decades. We cannot allow this. If we will allow any person with no brains to attack Chinese children today, if we don’t stop it, tomorrow he will attack other children,” Provatas stressed.

The Greek society defends the right of each individual, regardless of race, skin color or religion, to live in peace without anyone insulting them, he said.

The world should show gratitude to the Chinese people for their courage and sacrifices in battling the disease decisively and in preventing its spread to other countries, he said.

“We really admire the patience and determination of the Chinese people facing this problem … We appreciate and we admire all this gigantic effort, their determination and discipline, because they know that this is the only way to help themselves and the world from the further spread of the epidemic,” Provatas noted.

Sourced via ECNS.

Greek government outline seven priorities on migration

The Greek Herald
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Greek government outline seven priorities on migration

Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi sent a message of unity to New Democracy (ND) party on the management of the migration/refugees issue at a meeting held on Sunday at the party’s headquarters.

“We are addressing the crisis with unity; we are all on the same side of the table. The central government, the regional governments, the local governments, we are all facing a common problem,” he said.

The government has seven priorities, he explained, which are the strengthening of the borders protection, the acceleration of the asylum procedures, the increase of returns, the operation of closed and controlled hosting facilities, the effective control of the NGOs, the internalisation of the crisis and the support of the local communities.

In this context, the minister announced that an improved draft law on the further acceleration of the asylum procedures and of the returns will be tabled in parliament in the following weeks.

“We are facing a crisis, a crisis that we will not allow the islands to bear the whole burden. A crisis that must be resolved at European and international level,” he said.

Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis, the general secretary for Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias, the general secretary of the Migration Ministry Patrokolos Georgiadis and the ministry’s special secretary Manos Logothetis also spoke at the event.

Greek banks will place over 7 billion euros in the bond market

The Greek Herald
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Greek banks will place over 7 billion euros in the bond market

Greek banks will be able to place approximately 7 to 8 billion euros in the bond market from March when according to all indications the ceiling set by the European Central Bank on Greek banks’ purchases of Greek state long term bonds will be lifted.

Today the four Greek systemic banks can’t keep in their portfolio Greek state bonds with total value over 9 billion euros. 

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said that this ceiling is going to be lifted very soon. According to the European Central Bank supervision mechanism SSM, the lifting is very probable to be held until the end of March. Bank executives expect this move to help the domestic state bond market by increasing its depth and liquidity, while at the same help create additional revenue form banks which will be able to place part of their liquidity -currently enclaved in the negative yields of Treasury bills into bonds with positive yields.

Sourced via AMNA.

Greek students create smartphone application to fight sea pollution

The Greek Herald
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Greek students create smartphone application to fight sea pollution

Students from the General and Technical High School of the American Farm School in Thessaloniki have developed a real-time marine pollution detection application for smartphones.

The “ocLean AFS” (from the words “ocean clean”) app is innovative software which aims to help rid the sea bottom of plastic bags and bottles, along with glass and aluminum items. It enables the user to not only detect the debris but also to immediately communicate the problem to the relevant authorities in only a few steps.

The band-new app is the work of a group of 18 students working under the supervision of Mathematics Professor Melina Brozou, who manages the project.

Sourced via Tornos News.

9 things about life in Greece that may seem weird to anyone who doesn’t live there

The Greek Herald
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9 things about life in Greece that may seem weird to anyone who doesn’t live there

1. It’s hard for a woman to take her husband’s last name

It’s almost impossible to take your husband’s last name after getting married. You could try and get the court’s permission but only if there are very good reasons for it. “When I was getting married to a Greek man, I wanted to have his last name. I was so shocked when I found out that it was legally impossible,” is an example of what many women from foreign forums about Greek Family Law talk about. You can file an official plea to have a double last name. However, it will take quite a lot of time and will cost a lot of money. Plus, there’s no guarantee that you will get a positive answer. Children, on the other hand, can get either their father’s or their mother’s last names.

Interestingly enough, before 1983, there was a law in Greece that made women take their husband’s last names. It was compulsory. But then, a famous Greek politician named Andreas Papandreou fell in love with a flight attendant and decided to get divorced from his wife, Margaret Papandreou. The insulted wife said, “There will be no other Mrs. Papandreou.” Somehow, the woman influenced lawmakers and Greece eventually adopted the law that prohibits women to have their husbands’ last names.

2. People in Greece rarely get divorced

A divorce in Greece is something completely out of the ordinary. The marriage institution is carefully protected, so the percentage of divorces is the lowest in Europe. In order to get divorced, people in Greece have to overcome a lot of bureaucracy procedures and spend a lot of money. And according to Greek law, you can’t get divorced if you’ve been married for less than 6 months.

For Greeks, a family is everything and they really value family ties. Family celebrations in Greece typically consist of parties of 100 people with dancing and national songs.

3. Greek people love kissing

In Greece, people kiss twice — once on every cheek. What is interesting is that this tradition is spread among men just as much as it is among women. Of course, this works for friends and acquaintances but if you’ve seen a Greek person more than once, they think you’re a good acquaintance, so kissing is inevitable. The Greeks think that this is a way to show other people that they are the same as them.

4. All inhabitants and all foreigners have the right to get free medical help

In Greece, they have compulsory health insurance. However, getting to see a doctor in the government hospital is not an easy thing to do — there are too many people and the lines are too long. Usually, you have to wait for your appointment for at least 2 weeks. This is why Greek people usually have second insurance plans from their employers that let them visit private hospitals. Also, some specialists are not even included in the basic package like dentists and eye doctors, for example.

Non-government doctors can diagnose you over the phone. This means a patient can call their doctor on the phone at any time, tell them about their symptoms, send a photo via messenger, and the doctor will give them an online appointment.

5. Greeks have their own siesta known as “mesimeri“

Because of the hot climate and the tradition of following a slow-paced life, Greeks have their own version of a siesta. Most of the time, they start their days quite early: they get up at 6 am or 7 am but during lunchtime, they find some time for a nap.

The mesimeri (or siesta) is believed to be one of the main reasons why they live so long — the average life expectancy in Greece is 80 years! During mesimeri, small towns and villages basically die out and you’ll only see tourists out and about while all the locals are at home. During the siesta, there’s a silent time when any noise is prohibited. There are 2 periods of this. In the summer (from April 1 to September 30), people can’t make noise from 3 pm to 5:30 pm and again from 11 pm to 7 am; and then in winter (from October 1 to March 31) from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm and again from 10 pm to 7:30 am.

These rules are quite strict so if you break them, you’ll have to pay a fine.

6. It’s the most seismic region in Europe

There are many earthquakes in Greece. Even though there are a lot of them, sometimes several times a month, there are not a lot of big disasters. Last time there was a serious earthquake was in 1999.

The local people are calm about this because they think that earthquakes are part of their national identity. Even in big cities, there are very few buildings that have more than 6 floors because of earthquakes.

7. Greek salad is actually called a village salad

The salad that is popular around the world is called a “village salad” in Greece. This is the simplest meal made of the most popular foods you can find in Greece: cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, olive oil, feta, and oregano. And they don’t cut the feta into cubes, they put in a whole piece. And its ingredients aren’t usually cut into small pieces. Sometimes, they add some sweet pepper or capers but there’s no lettuce in the classic Greek salad.

The olives in the salad aren’t usually pitted and one serving of the dish in a local tavern is very big, so you should order 1 for 2 people.

8. Greeks are very emotional

There’s a phrase that says, “A quiet Greek man is a Greek man you can’t hear from 2 blocks away.” This means they’re quite noisy! They love arguing, they express their opinions very emotionally, and they love demonstrating their positive and negative feelings. For them, it’s perfectly normal to walk with their partner and still look at other attractive guys and girls that walk by.

Many Greeks don’t like to hide their true emotions: if they want to shout, they will and if they want to sing, they’ll hum a tune — and people around are very likely to sing along. But Greeks are still very attentive to each other and are good listeners.

9. Greeks love coffee and going to coffee shops

The most popular drink in Greece is, of course, coffee. The Greeks drink huge amounts of it. Spending some time with a cup of coffee in a coffee shop is an everyday ritual for most Greeks. It’s not just a 5-minute break but a real pause for rest and communication. Elderly people love coffee shops very much. Unlike the taverns, coffee shops only sell drinks.

Also, the frappe (cold coffee) was invented in Greece. To make it, they take a small amount of cold water and coffee, mix it with a special machine until there’s foam, and then add cold water and ice to the drink.

Sourced via Brightside.

Papastergiadis meets with the President of the Parliament of Cyprus discussing international cooperation

The Greek Herald
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Papastergiadis meets with the President of the Parliament of Cyprus discussing international cooperation

The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Mr Bill Papastergiadis met with the President of the Parliament of Cyprus Mr Dimitris Syllouris, during his recent official visit in Melbourne.

Mr Papastergiades met with Mr Syllouris on Sunday evening during an event at the Cyprian Community of Melbourne (CCM). In his address at the event, Mr. Papastergiadis thanked the President of the CCM, Mr. Stellios Angelodimou and the CCM for its close relationship with the GCM.

He also emphasised that the Greek Community of Melbourne supports the CCM’s activities and programs and in particular the plans for its new building.

Mr Papastergiadis also had a private meeting with Mr Syllouris on Monday morning, which was attended by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Ms Martha Mavrommatis.

Mr Dimitris Syllouris (left) with Ms Martha Mavrommatis (middle) and Mr Bill Papastergiadis (right). Photo: Supplied

“At this meeting we discussed a number of issues on which we will work together in the near future,” Mr Papastergiadis said.

“First, I informed him about the creation of the new Chair at the University of Melbourne on Greek Language and Multiculturalism and that through this Chair we will try to establish close relationships with other universities in Australia, Greece and Cyprus, so that students can study at these universities. This will benefit the students and will also contribute to the improvement of the relations and cooperation of our countries.”

Mr. Papastergiadis also briefed Mr. Syllouris on the special investment conference to be held in Greece shortly, and suggested Cyprus participate too.

“Within two months and in collaboration with the Government of Victoria and investors from Australia, we are holding a special investment conference in Greece. I suggested to Mr Syllouris that Cyprus should also participate, in order to benefit from the investments that are expected to be made, “said Papastergiadis.

Vasili’s Taxidi: Giorgos Kefalas and ‘Kefalas Hardware’ – Marrickville’s iconic shops

The Greek Herald
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Vasili’s Taxidi: Giorgos Kefalas and ‘Kefalas Hardware’ – Marrickville’s iconic shops

By Vasilis Vasilas

A few decades ago, in what now seems a very different world and before the multinational companies and franchises, there were some very successful businesses run by very charismatic and energetic characters. They just had the knack for business; their entrepreneurial skills seemed to be innate. Moreover, they had an x factor that distinguished them from others- the flair, the confidence and the gift of the gab.

Marrickville’s Greek population peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s and there were some very iconic Greek businesses that were established at the time; one of them was definitely Kefalas Hardware on Marrickville Road which was run by the charismatic Giorgos Kefalas. Kefalas Hardware, whether the first premises on Marrickville or the latter premises on Illawarra Road, operated in Marrickville for over twenty five years. 

Kefalas Hardware had such a wide variety of products on offer to customers; as Jerry Mitzinis, who grew up in Marrickville, points out, ‘‘Before Bunnings, there was Kefalas Hardware.’ But it was Giorgos Kefalas’ quick- witted nature and innate gift for business that that made ‘Kefalas Hardware’ so successful.  

Listening to Giorgos recounting his experiences in Marrrickville, you quickly realise he is one of the great storytellers of the Greek community; you just have to keep up with all his stories.

From Asomatos, Lesvos, Giorgos migrated to Sydney, Australia, in 1960; his first job was as a renderer to render the Acropolis kafeneio in Redfern. In 1961, he married Stavitsa (nee: Marnisali), from Perama, Lesvos, and they had two children, Mario and Efstratios (Charlie hereafter). 

It was Mick Adams, who once ran the pioneering Black and White Milk Bar, that introduced Giorgos to John Walton, of Waltons department stores, and he was offered a job in Waltons as a salesperson in the Newtown store. Within six months, he was promoted to manager of the paint section – a big thing for a migrant those days! He worked at Waltons for nine years (1961- 69). For years, Giorgos was practically running the store; not wanting to lose his services and contacts, he opened Kefalas Hardware next door- with a door linking Waltons and the new hardware shop!

In 1971, he relocated Kefalas Hardware to Marrickville, near the Marrickville and Illawarra Roads’ intersection. He established his business at the heart of Marrickville! With Marrickville’s Greek migrant population peaking in the early 1970s, Kefalas Hardware was an instant success! 

Continually advertising in the Greek newspapers and radio programs, Kefalas Hardware’s name entered so many Greek households; as Giorgos recounts, he had customers ordering from Canberra and NSW south coast! It was so busy that Giorgos employed seventeen workers- not including Stavista (and later his two sons, Mario and Charlie) at one time! 

An example of Giorgos’ enthusiasm and energy was when he had a banner placed across Marrickville Road, as he recounts, ‘Back then, Marrickville was abuzz! In 1974, I paid to put up a long banner that went from my hardware shop to Marrickville Hotel which read, ‘George Kefalas Wishes the Greek Community Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’. As I was very good friends with Singapore Airline’s CEO, Mike Hadley, I got Singapore Airlines to sponsor the banner!’ 

After an arson attack in 1982, which burnt the hardware shop as well as a number of other businesses, Kefalas Hardwaremoved to Illawarra Road, which was formerly the School of Arts. 

The Kefalas family ran the hardware shop there until 1996… 

Giorgos has many fond memories of this bygone era; he still visits Marrickville a few times a week and seeing so many familiar faces makes him feel at home!

Defence minister appeals to NATO for help to prevent migration influx in Aegean

The Greek Herald
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Defence minister appeals to NATO for help to prevent migration influx in Aegean

Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos called for the strengthening of NATO ‘s presence in the Aegean Sea in order to halt the migration influx from Turkey.

Speaking at the two-day meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels, Panagiotopoulos called on all allies, to the best of their abilities, to contribute to further enhancing Allied activity in the Aegean by halting Turkey’s migration flows.

He also reiterated that “military actions, such as those in northern Syria, and agreements with the Tripoli government in Libya, in breach of international law, are of great concern to us as they contribute to destabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The two-day meeting on February 12-13 focused on developments in the strategic environment of the greater Middle East, including North Africa, the security situation in Afghanistan, the further development of EU-NATO relations and the Alliance’s operational issues.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Panagiotopoulos had a conversation met with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, with whom he exchanged views on how the two countries’ military delegations could help reduce tension in bilateral relations at talks on the confidence-building measures, scheduled to start in Athens on Monday.

The minister said he made it clear that “in order for the military dialogue to succeed, provocative actions that undermine any effort to build confidence must be avoided.”

Sourced by: ANA

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