Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-30

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] ECHR ruling on migrant fruit pickers is a 'milestone', their lawyers say

[01] ECHR ruling on migrant fruit pickers is a 'milestone', their lawyers say

The lawyers from the Greek Council for Refugees and Open Society Justice Initiative said the decision is "the most important ever delivered for workers' human rights, both in Greece and the rest of Europe".

Vasilis Kerasiotis, attorney for the applicants, and legal director of the Greek Council for Refugees said Greek authorities knew that irregular migrants worked in the fields. Policemen called on the local landowners to pay the wages and even judges admitted that "everyone was at the mercy of the farmers."

Kerasiotis and Simon Cox, attorney for the applicants and migration lawyer at the Open Society Justice Initiative, said what those workers now want from the Greek government is to be granted legal work permits so that their employers can no longer blackmail and take advantage of them and so that they may visit their home countries and return.

"The decision for Manolada is a great victory, but 'Manolada' continues in Thiva, Argos, Arta and other parts of Greece," the workers said.

When the ruling is finalized by the Committee of Ministers of member states of the Council of Europe three months from now, Greece will come under probation until the decision has been implemented.

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