ANTARSYA statement for the recent agreement between the Greek coalition government and the Eurogroup

What will the next steps of the SYRIZA-ANEL coalition government be until June?

One month after its election, the SYRIZA-ANEL coalition government showed with its’ capitulation to the Eurogroup, that there is no margin for challenging the destructive austerity policies of the Memorandum within the EU and the Eurozone and in the context of commitment to repaying the debt. With its’ choices, the government leaves the foundations of social deprivation, poverty and the unemployment of 1.3 million people untouched. No propaganda can hide this. No demand for tolerance and patience can be accepted.

The first important withdrawal was the commitment of Tsipras that the debt will be paid off, thus accepting that it is sustainable and that the demands of the lenders are legal. Next came the burdensome agreement to extend the Memorandum, the loan agreements and the supervision by the EU, ECB and IMF, i.e the institutions as the Troika was baptised. Finally, the “reforms” which were included in the letter of Minster of Finance, Mr. Varoufakis (24/2/2015).

This letter shows that the government extends the Memorandum in a society that has been extremely burdened in the last five years, cancels its program and promotes the reactionary restructuring-reforms. In this letter the government:

• Commits to reform the wages of the public sector in order to decompress the wage distribution through productivity. This could mean that the wage will be connected with productivity. The government also commits not to lower the current minimum wage neither to increase the wages in the public sector.
• This commitment, combined with the choice to cut public expenditures even more through the rationalisation of non-wage benefits, predisposes to new cuts of wages in the public sector. At the same time it has committed to retain wage freezing and will not restore the 13^th and 14^th salaries.
• Leaves the way open for extending the high taxation of the people as it foresees total abolition of the few tax-exemptions: ‘eliminating tax code exemptions and replacing them, where necessary, with social justice enhancing measures’. At the same time there is no talk about increasing taxation on capital except the well-known promises for eliminating tax-evasion. Also, it foresees further increases of VAT ‘with a view to limiting exemptions while eliminating unreasonable discounts’.
• Lays the groundwork for further cuts in pensions that will be imposed through the consolidation of funds and through the neoliberal perspective that pensions are connected with income.
• Commits to extend the policy of auctions of the main residence of households as the government agreed to ‘coordinate with the institutions in order to avoid in the forthcoming period, auctions of the main residence of households below a certain income threshold’. As for the non-performing loans they will be dealt with in a manner that fully considers the banks’ capitalisation.
• Agreed to continue to sell public property, another ‘red line’ of the government as it will ‘not abolish the privatisations that have been already completed. In the case that they are in progress the government will respect this procedure’. What will the government do then? Will it complete the sale of the Public Company of Electricity, of the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki, the land of the ex-Athens airport? Will it accept Cosco and other tycoons buying and managing public property?
• Accepts that it will maintain and deepen the flexible employment hell and the destruction of the labour market as it agrees to ‘expand and develop the existing scheme that provides temporary employment for the unemployed, in agreement with partners and when fiscal space permits and improve the active labour market policy programmes with the aim of updating the skills of the long term unemployed’.
• As for the minimum wage the government agreed ‘to streamline and over time raise minimum wages in a manner that safeguards competiveness and employment prospects. The scope and timing of changes to the minimum wage will be made in consultation with social partners and the European and international institutions’.
• Restores the ‘independence of the General Secretariat of Public Revenues (GSPR), if necessary through further legislation, from all sorts of interference (political or otherwise)’, i.e. the independence of technocrats against the people.
• What has remained? The humanitarian crisis, that the EU partners allow the Greek government to confront only ‘if this will not have a negative fiscal effect’.

The supervisory mechanism of the EU, ECB and IMF also remains untouched. They will continue to evaluate the execution of the Memorandum even if they are called ‘institutions’ and not Troika.

People did not reject the previous governments in order to have a new agreement of social looting and supervision from the EU, ECB and IMF. It is the moment of the labour movement to come to the fore and defend the right to employment, to decent life, to democracy and independency, the right of the people to decide for their future. The popular labour struggles will cancel the new agreement by fighting to overthrow the policies of the Memoranda and the EU, ECB and IMF.

ANTARSYA calls all the forces of the militant Left, all those that feel that the support they gave to the government which eventually signed the extension of the Memorandum was betrayed, to do their best in order for the people to come to the fore. It is a time of historical responsibility which doesn’t justify waiting or tolerance towards the government as the lesser evil, because the greater evil of justification of the most reactionary options is lurking. There is another road, without debt, Memoranda and euro. It will be mapped by the people through social struggle, paving the way for the anticapitalist overthrow of the attack and social emancipation. It is in this struggle that the Left will be honoured in order to be worthy of its name and history.

Athens, 25.2.2015

ANTARSYA

ANTARSYA PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE DEAL BETWEEN BRUSSELS AND THE GREEK GOVERNMENT

NO TO THE NEW AGREEMENT OF THE EXTENSION OF THE MEMORANDA AGREEMENTS, DEBT COMPROMISES AND EU-SUPERVISION.

Yesterday’s joint statement by the Eurogroup, which the SYRIZA ANEL(Independant Greeks) agreed to, is an unacceptable subordination to the demands of creditors. It comes in direct conflict with the desire, the expectations and demands of the labor movement and the people to end the austerity and exit the catastrophic memoranda and the humiliating control. Rupture and not compromise with the interests of bankers to take back what was stolen from us and to win what we deserve.
This completes the first phase cycle of setbacks after the abandonment of debt cancellation, is a retreat past the the “red lines” that the government had set as the lines not to be crossed.
Specifically with yesterday’s agreement:
– The loan agreement is extended with the commitments attached to it, thus real end in memoranda will not come. The myth that the loan agreement is not a new memoranda also collapses.
– Austerity does not end because the requirement for primary surplus remains, the same time that the “institutions” will constantly monitor the implementation of the Agreement in order to complete the assessment of the current agreement.
– The tap of financing remaining in the ECB hands with the sole aim of ensuring support to the banks and not meet social needs.
– The Troika returns even if it is now called “institutions” to conclude the evaluation of the existing program. Any references to “flexibility” does not negate that will actually require and enforce the implementation of the disastrous policies of the memoranda.
– The Greek government pledged to submit for approval and evaluation of the entire program of its own reforms. Has committed not to proceed with the cancellation of measures and policy changes that will be instead judged and decided by the “institutions” (ie the Troika) in economic recovery and financial stability. This means that the bulk of the memoranda and restructuring measures will remain in place.
Therefore, the application of even the programmatic statements of the government referred to the back burner and it will depend on the evaluation and approval of creditors and “institutions” !! which means full compliance to the extortion of Brussels.
– The Greek government has committed itself to the recognition of the debt and the full repayment of its obligations.
The result of yesterday’s Eurogroup meeting gives us a taste of what things will be like in the four-month “deal” with lenders: a permanent blackmail and a demand on their part not only for retreats but for full compliance with the requirements of bankers and euromanagement.
It has become clear to anymore where this logic leads of negotiations in the euro and inside the European institutions. It proved how dangerous was the line “Neither rupture(Grexit), neither subordination” put forward by SYRIZA-ANEL government.
The real dilemma is still between the rupture with the Euro, cancellation of the debt OR retreat and subordination . Only the immediate cessation of payments and the removal of predatory debt , the exit from the euro , in defiance of the Euro-conditions of the European Treaty and the exit from ” pit of lions “of the EU, the nationalization of banks and large companies with workers control, can be the best answer to blackmail and to pave the way for pro-people policy out of the crisis.
The fighting forces of the Left and the movement should coordinate their forces and to invite workers, the people and youth and put up a large movement against the agreement, the EU’s blackmail and the ECB and the government policy of compromise leading into submission. To impose “unilateral” here and now the objectives of labor and popular movement.
-To Say no to this unacceptable and humiliating “agreement.”
-To Fill the streets and squares demanding all for what we fought for in all these years namely the complete overthrow of memoranda policies, the end of the subordination to the Euro-management and debt cancellation.
– To step up the fight for our rights and needs, to restore all labor rights, for the rehiring of all those fired under the memoranda (ERT, cleaners, school guards, etc.), for the annulment of privatizations, for the overthrow of anti-education measures for the restoration of wages and pensions.
– To choose and impose with our struggles another way, the way of breaking with the euro the the EU, and Capital’s policies, the way of hope and the anti-capitalist overthrow.
ALL OUT ON THURSDAY to the squares and the rallies.

ANTARSYA

No compromise with the EU and the bankers! Thursday 19th February, 18.30, Parliament Square, London.

NO COMPROMISE WITH THE BANKERS AND THE EU!

AN ORGANISED LABOUR MOVEMENT CAN WIN!

In the last two weeks the EU, the European Central Bank (ECB) and their representatives contempt and are furious about people’s right to decide for their lives and future. Particularly, Greek people decided on the 25^th of January and through their struggles over the last five years to put an end to the Memoranda and the austerity measures. EU representatives send the message that they will not allow any crack in the European construction. They require ‘respect of the agreements’, ‘continuation of the bloody austerity and reactionary reforms’, and a new surveillance from the EU, ECB and International Monetary Fund (IMF) with a new agreement, i.e. a new Memorandum. The blackmail of the ECB on Thursday 4^th February was expressed by its decision to lift the current waiver of minimum credit rating requirements for Greek bonds. Based on the reactionary EU Treaties, they require balanced national budgets and current account surpluses. Similar blackmails were noticed in the Eurogroup of Monday 16^th February, too.

It is more than obvious that the ECB, European Commission and IMF do neither constitute partners nor interlocutors that will be convinced by arguments as the current government has claimed in the pre-election period. By contrast, they are the representatives of the ruling classes, bankers and multinationals. They will do whatever they can in order to satisfy their interests against the workers, youth and unemployed in the whole of Europe. Loan agreement or Program are different words with the same outcome: legitimation of the debt and compromises against the society.

There is a need for struggle and rupture with them and not for a compromise. The opinions that favour the maintenance of the Euro and the reactionary EU Treaties do not help the struggle of the labour movement to achieve the enforcement of measures in the interests of the people. In addition, the statements of the new Greek government officials about a legitimation of the debt and the 70% of the measures of the Memorandum do not contribute to the realisation of people’s expectations. They have seen the unemployment rising to 27% and their income to decline by 35% while more than 30% live under the poverty line.

LABOUR AND POPULAR COUNTER-ATTACK- WE DEMAND WHAT WE OWN!

We do not expect the EU consent in order to get back what we own and was lost by the Memoranda and the austerity measures. A relief for the people could be achieved by ceasing debt repayment, rupturing with the EU and the euro in an internationalist way and nationalising banks and large businesses under workers’ control.

We do not accept the EU’s and ECB’s blackmail. Respect the will and the decisions of the Greek people

We do not acknowledge the public debt and demand the cessation of payments and cancellation of the debt

Bank and Major Companies Nationalisation, without compensation and under workers’ and social control

No to any new agreement with the EU, ECB and IMF. No to any new Rescue Plan, Loan Agreement, Program or Memorandum 

Unilateral ban of the memorandums, their application laws and colonialism-style loan conventions

Exit from the Eurozone and the EU to put a STOP to the looting of Greek people

We call all the workers, youth and unemployed to take action in Greece, the UK and the whole of Europe! No worker, youth and unemployed is alone! We need to organise the labour struggle in order to satisfy our expectations, to secure and extend our claims and to set ground for an anti-capitalist perspective and social revolutionary change.

For all these reasons, we call all the people to participate in the solidarity demo:

Thursday, 19^th February, 18.30, Parliament Square, London

ANTARSYA UK

Solidarity caravan from teachers’ unions from Greece visits in 20/2 the Kobane refugee camps

Solidarity caravan from teachers’ unions from Greece visits in 20/2 the Kobane refugee camps

After initiative of our unions, we have decided to organize the “Solidarity Campaign” to Rojava refugees. We have now decided a 7-member delegation from the teachers’ unions to visit the refugee camps in 20/2 in order a carry the message of solidarity to a people’s fight for freedom, as well as some stuff we have collected as actual proof for this solidarity.

Over the last few months, we have witnessed one of the most ruthless crimes in human history. The march of the islam-fascist ISIS army and the long lasting siege of the Rojava region. We have seen the genocide of the Yezidi people, on mount Sinjar, we have seen Kurdish women and children being sold in slave markets, men executed in the most horrible way. What has left us breathless, however, was the heroic resistance of the Kurdish men and women fighters who, armed with old rifles, crushed the army of the ISIS savages. Men and women of every age who have taken life in their own hands and have been fighting for land and freedom.

Kurds in these regions have been fighting for years without ever being part of a plan supportive to their demand for an independent state. In fact, they are denied basic human rights of self-identification, language, culture and education in either NATO Turkey, or the opposing (to NATO and to each other) Iran and Iraq states, or the once baathic Assad regime in Syria. In this background, the independent cantons of Rojava are a bright example for all people.

A massive movement for national independence, with respect to personal freedom, to different religions, to women’s social position, is trying to put an end to the darkest pages of modern human history, which are a complete creation of this world’s most powerful states.

At this time, international solidarity is needed and this need will be fulfilled. We fulfill it, by gathering necessary stuff for the Rojava refugees from our schools, our students, our colleagues. By going there in order not only to carry a message of solidarity to Kurdish people but also to carry back home the images of victory, dignity and struggle.

Because fighting people are those who will say the final word. Fighting people are the ones who will write history.

Several teachers’ unions in Greece

CALL OUT FOR 11th and 15th February: NO COMPROMISE WITH THE BANKERS AND THE EU! AN ORGANISED LABOUR MOVEMENT CAN WIN!

NO COMPROMISE WITH THE BANKERS AND THE EU!

AN ORGANISED LABOUR MOVEMENT CAN WIN!

In the last two weeks the EU, the European Central Bank (ECB) and their representatives contempt and are furious about people’s right to decide for their lives and future. Particularly, Greek people decided on the 25^th of January and through their struggles over the last five years to put an end to the Memoranda and the austerity measures. EU representatives send the message that they will not allow any crack in the European construction. They require ‘respect of the agreements’, ‘continuation of the bloody austerity and reactionary reforms’, and a new surveillance from the EU, ECB and International Monetary Fund (IMF) with a new agreement, i.e. a new Memorandum. The blackmail of the ECB on Thursday 4^th February was expressed by its decision to lift the current waiver of minimum credit rating requirements for Greek bonds. Based on the reactionary EU Treaties, they require balanced national budgets and current account surpluses.

It is more than obvious that the ECB, European Commission and IMF do neither constitute partners nor interlocutors that will be convinced by arguments as the current government has claimed in the pre-election period. By contrast, they are the representatives of the ruling classes, bankers and multinationals. They will do whatever they can in order to satisfy their interests against the workers, youth and unemployed in the whole of Europe.

There is a need for struggle and rupture with them and not for a compromise. The opinions that favour the maintenance of the Euro and the reactionary EU Treaties do not help the struggle of the labour movement to achieve the enforcement of measures in the interests of the people. In addition, the statements of the new Greek government officials about a legitimation of the usurious debt and the 70% of the measures of the Memorandum do not contribute to the realisation of people’s expectations. They have seen the unemployment rising to 27% and their income to decline by 35% while more than 30% live under the poverty line.

LABOUR AND POPULAR COUNTER-ATTACK- WE DEMAND WHAT WE OWN!

We do not expect the EU consent in order to get back what we own and was lost by the Memoranda and the austerity measures. A relief for the people could be achieved by ceasing debt repayment, rupturing with the EU and the euro in an internationalist way and nationalising banks and large businesses under workers’ control.

We do not accept the EU’s and ECB’s blackmail. Respect the will and the decisions of the Greek people

We do not acknowledge the public debt and demand the cessation of payments and cancellation of the debt

Bank and Major Companies Nationalisation, without compensation and under workers’ and social control

No to any new agreement with the EU, ECB and IMF. No to any new rescue plan-Memorandum 

Unilateral ban of the memorandums, their application laws and colonialism-style loan conventions

Exit from the Eurozone and the EU to put a STOP to the looting of Greek people

We call all the workers, youth and unemployed to take action in Greece, the UK and the whole of Europe! No worker, youth and unemployed is alone! We need to organise the labour struggle in order to satisfy our expectations, to secure and extend our claims and to set ground for an anti-capitalist perspective and social revolutionary change.

For all these reasons, we call all the people to participate in the solidarity demos:

Wednesday, 11^th February (the day that the Eurogroup takes place), 18.30, Big Ben, London

Sunday 15^th February (day of international solidarity to Greece), 13.00, Trafalgar Square, London

ANTARSYA UK