
Instead of the problem of the lack of land workers finding a solution ahead of spring harvests, it appears to be widening, with farmers from Messinia and Crete warning of new problems and impacts on the primary sector.
In particular, rural associations of Crete and Messinia (Filiatra, Gargaliani, Selinos of Chania, Tympakio of Heraklion, Sitias Lasithi and Ierapetra Lasithi) in a joint letter to the relevant ministries, report the consequences of the delay in issuing the joint ministerial decision to determine the upper limit of jobs per Region and Prefecture, for the employment of third country citizens (TCCs) in the primary sector and other sectors.
Greek female farmers: Their role and position in the primary sector
Specifically, as they state, “the new programming period 2023-2024 has already started, while the procedures for re-calling TCCs are being carried out with an extension of the previous 2021-2022 decision. It should be emphasized that this extension has no application in Regions where there are no longer available jobs”, while they have already informed in writing about the problems of the legislation that inflate the bureaucratic procedures, immediately requesting their modification with targeted interventions.
Additional time-consuming actions
“Surprisingly, to date we have no information about your intention to modify all the problem points in the process,” the farmers point out.
On the contrary – as they underline – additional time-consuming actions have been added where the same details of the employee and employer are repeatedly entered through an electronic platform at each stage, such as in the issuance of a residence permit, the issuance of an swocial security-AMKA and VAT number and the issuance of a work permit, etc.: “Procedures, meaning that the government’s aim is to transfer the bureaucracy to citizens and ultimately to greatly increase the time to complete cases as well as the cost. In all the above procedures, an additional fee is imposed (in addition to the initial one for the hiring), while at the same time, many of the employers have already lost their money from the continuous rejection of cases by the Greek embassies, without substantial justification”.
“Mr. Ministers, reflecting on the already adverse effects caused by the huge lack of labor force in the current period and also the fact that our country is in a pre-election period, it will be a fatal mistake if the dissolution of the Parliament takes place without the publication of the new joint ministerial decision in the Official Gazette “, the joint letter emphasizes, warning once again that the food crisis is not an arbitrary term but exists and already affects the daily life of citizens, simultaneously dragging the prices of agricultural products upwards, due to the quantitative and qualitative degradation of the products .
“For all of the above, the responsibility rests solely on your own choices, which so far have not brought about any substantial solution to this issue. We invite you for the last time to see to it that the issuance of the relevant decision is completed immediately. It is the minimum that you must do in this difficult time”, concludes the joint letter of the farmers of Crete and Messinia.


Latest News

Evangelos Marinakis: A time of change from which shipping can benefit
Speaking at the 19th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum Evangelos Marinakis stressed the challenges that shipping faces today

Retail Trade in Greece Up 2.5% in December 2024: ELSTAT
In January 2025, the General Turnover Index recorded a 2.5% increase compared to January 2024. Compared to December 2024, it recorded a significant decline of 18.4%

Greek Fruit and Vegetable Exports Surge
Greek exporters have expressed concerns over a new draft law in Bulgaria that mandates at least 50% of products in stores to be of Bulgarian origin.

Trump Tower in Greece? Speculation Grows Over Potential Investment
In 2007, the Trump Organization explored the possibility of constructing a skyscraper complex and casino at the former Ellinikon Airport site in Athens

Was Aristidis Alafouzos, CEO of Okeanis Eco Tankers, cheering over extra earnings from carrying ‘sanctioned’ Russian oil?
Okeanis CEO Aristidis Alafouzos tried to give assurances that the company was not carrying sanctioned Russian oil - Recently published data point to the opposite

Tax Filing in Greece Surpasses Expectations
Taxpayers who submit their returns by April 30 will benefit from an increased tax discount of 4% if they opt for a lump-sum payment by July 31, 2025

Evangelos Marinakis: Proud of Diaspora Greeks, ‘Who’re All Together, United’
Marinakis, an Honorary Grand Marshal of the 86th Greek Independence Parade on Sunday, was touched by his contacts in New York City with members of the Greek-American community, where he spoke fondly of the Diaspora: ‘Twice as Greek, Twice over as Olympiacos fans'

Stirring 86th Greek Independence Day Parade Down 5th Ave. Evangelos Marinakis an Honorary Grand Marshal
According to NYPD sources, the 2025 parade is expected to be one of the biggest in recent memory, with some 120 groups with 52 floats and 15 marching bands paraded from 64th to 79th streets along renowned Fifth Avenue

PM Mitsotakis Highlights Chevron’s Interest in Greek EEZ in Weekly Review
“The interest from Chevron is important because a leading American multinational chooses to invest in Greek maritime plots, thus practically recognizing Greece's EEZ in the area,” the prime minister said.

PM Mitsotakis Visits Israel for Talks on Defense, Energy, and Stability
According to sources, the meetings will cover bilateral collaboration as well as regional developments, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria.