Farmers protest about cost of living and health system
protest
31 Jan 2023
/ 14:04
CORFU. The farmers are demanding immediate measures to protect income and recruit staff for the island΄s public health system.
Corfu farmers held a convoy protest this morning organised by the Federation of Corfu Farmers Associations (OASK).
The protest, which was also supported by Corfu Workers Centre, began at the airport and proceeded through the town centre before ending up at the hospital.
Farmers are protesting at the increasing cost of living and the drop in incomes as well as the problems at the hospital and are demanding immediate measures to protect incomes and health.
Statement from OASK:
The EU policy which is harming farmers and which is being implemented by the government on behalf of rich businessmen, bankers and capital in general, is damaging production. With regard to Corfu olive producers they are implementing policies such as the abolition of insecticides, resulting in a relatively good harvest in December having already come to an end. Although the fruit has been lost, ELGA isn't providing any compensation for olive diseases and for this reason a change in regulations is needed.
The high cost of electricity has been passed on from the olive presses to the producers resulting in the cost of pressing reaching €1 per kilo. Farm production is being destroyed and the local and regional authorities are responsible.
With the implementation of the new land planning system land which is less than four stremma can no longer be built on, resulting in a dramatic drop in their value.
Along with all workers in Corfu farmers are facing huge problems with the island's hospital and health centres which are completely neglected and understaffed, thus creating great concern and confirming the fact that whoever doesn't have money is left to their fate.
Yet again OASK is stressing the need to fight for the overturning of the policies which are wiping out Corfu olive producers.
We demand:
- Reduction in production costs
- Reduction in the cost of electricity and abolition of energy markets
- Abolition of VAT on transport and supplies
- Minimum guaranteed prices in line with production costs
- Upgrading and recruitment of staff at Corfu Hospital and health centres
The protest, which was also supported by Corfu Workers Centre, began at the airport and proceeded through the town centre before ending up at the hospital.
Farmers are protesting at the increasing cost of living and the drop in incomes as well as the problems at the hospital and are demanding immediate measures to protect incomes and health.
Statement from OASK:
The EU policy which is harming farmers and which is being implemented by the government on behalf of rich businessmen, bankers and capital in general, is damaging production. With regard to Corfu olive producers they are implementing policies such as the abolition of insecticides, resulting in a relatively good harvest in December having already come to an end. Although the fruit has been lost, ELGA isn't providing any compensation for olive diseases and for this reason a change in regulations is needed.
The high cost of electricity has been passed on from the olive presses to the producers resulting in the cost of pressing reaching €1 per kilo. Farm production is being destroyed and the local and regional authorities are responsible.
With the implementation of the new land planning system land which is less than four stremma can no longer be built on, resulting in a dramatic drop in their value.
Along with all workers in Corfu farmers are facing huge problems with the island's hospital and health centres which are completely neglected and understaffed, thus creating great concern and confirming the fact that whoever doesn't have money is left to their fate.
Yet again OASK is stressing the need to fight for the overturning of the policies which are wiping out Corfu olive producers.
We demand:
- Reduction in production costs
- Reduction in the cost of electricity and abolition of energy markets
- Abolition of VAT on transport and supplies
- Minimum guaranteed prices in line with production costs
- Upgrading and recruitment of staff at Corfu Hospital and health centres
