Occupational ‘accident’ at Gymnos in Evia
9.4.2021
Question for written answer E-001912/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Kostas Papadakis (NI)
Three employees were killed by an electric shock while carrying out maintenance and repair work for a Greek Electricity Distribution Network DEDDHE) contractor in the Gymnos area of the municipality of Eretria in Evia. This is by no means an isolated incident, occurring as it did only a few months after extensive power cuts lasting several days that were caused by bad weather in parts of Evia.
This tragic event clearly illustrates the disastrous consequences of power supply deregulation and the erosion of worker rights being advocated by the EU and successive Greek governments. The transformation of power supply from a public service into a commodity is largely rooted in the provisions of Regulation 714/2009, which has been amended several times and recast by Regulation 2019/943, Directive 2009/72, which was transposed into national law by Law 4001/2011, and Regulations 713/2009 and 1227/2011.
Successive governments and the DEDDHE have been ramping up the pressure on employees, especially contract workers, using the pandemic as a justification. As flexible working becomes the rule, no permanent recruitment contracts have been available for years.
In view of this:
What does the Commission have to say about the series of incidents directly attributable to the energy deregulation policies advocated by the EU and various governments, leaving workers exposed to risks without suitable protection, sometimes costing them their lives and leaving thousands without power during the recent severe weather conditions?