▸Mass, with the participation of workers and residents of all ages, was the gathering organized on Wednesday 20/11 in the central square of Megalopolis, against the closure of the 4th Lignite Unit of PPC and the lignite mines in the area.
The mobilization, which was also called by ANTARSYA of Arcadia, took place in the context of the 24-hour nationwide strike. After the rally, a protest march was held to the “Morea” toll road outside Tripoli, on the new Athens-Kalamata National Highway. There the demonstrators were attacked unprovoked by the police as, with the assistance of a MAT squad, they tried to block them with wood, tear gas and stun grenades.
From January 1, 2025, only the 5th unit with imported natural gas will operate in Megalopolis. As stated by MUTINY of Arcadiathis development is a “result – continuation of the policy of the liberalization - privatization of electricity, the violent lignitization, the supposed “green development””, based on EU directives. “Thousands of workers have either been forced into voluntary retirement (voluntarily) or will be fired (contractual and contract workers), or are being forced to be reassigned to remote positions,” he emphasizes.
“It is necessary to have a plan to limit the burning of fossil fuels for energy production until their definitive replacement by truly renewable forms, which will cover the energy needs of society without destroying the environment. At the same time, the jobs of the employees should be secured with the same salary, insurance, pension rights that they have now, etc. While the mines are operating, there should be strict adherence to Environmental Impact Studies,” he adds, among other things.