The draft law for the new concession contract was accepted in principle by the competent parliamentary committee by a majority Attic Roadwhich should be voted on on Thursday by the Parliament plenary.
ND voted in favor of the bill for the ratification of a service concession agreement for the financing, operation, maintenance and exploitation of the Attic Road, KKE and Niki voted against, while SYRIZA, PASOK, Hellenic Solution abstained from being placed on the floor, Freedom Sail and the Spartans.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, responding to the comments of the extra-parliamentary bodies, made during the committee meeting, defended the positive consequences of the concessions on the operation of motorways and road safety, stating that the achievements of motorway workers are guaranteed and informed about the availability of free passage at the Ática Road tolls for citizens with disabilities, something that did not exist in the previous contract and was ensured in this one. At this time, he said that the government is pursuing a series of additional favorable interventions for citizens with disabilities, with the concessionaire and with other concessionaires in Greece. Furthermore, Mr. Staikouras requested greater attention from both concessionaires in the coming days in order to ensure a smooth transition.
The issue of the future of workers under the new contract raised particular concern at the committee meeting, having been raised both by the Estrada Ática Workers’ Union – Rotas do Ático and by its legal advisor, requesting – regardless of the compensations that will be given for dismissal – existing staff to continue working and anyone wishing to be hired, to be hired with the same salary but also with the working time they had for an indefinite period. Responding to the minister, he reiterated that the ministry, in cooperation with the new concessionaire, guaranteed the workers’ labor achievements for their work on the highway and managed not to lose a single job. Thus, the workers will receive their legal compensation for the termination of the employment relationship with Attiki Odos and Attiki Routes, and at the same time the new concessionaire expressed its intention to continue with the replacement of its jobs for the new project, for those whoever wants. He concluded by saying that there are relevant references to this matter and the sanctioning law, not only in the contract, but in the final provisions chapter (article 6).
Given that there were agency representatives who expressed their disagreement over the method of financing and utilizing the project, Mr. Staikouras responded that there may be discrepancies regarding the way public projects are carried out in the country, but the essence remains that everyone agrees with the value of the Attica Road. “Imagine Attiki without Attiki Odos,” he said. He also noted that the “concessions”, in addition to financing and maintenance, have helped a lot in the issue of road safety, as based on European studies, our country has achieved goals that other countries have not achieved in terms of reducing accidents by 50 % in previous years, which is largely due to main roads.
Source: RES/MPE
