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I. Importance of Shipping:
Political Spring considers Greek merchant shipping to be a valuable national
asset and its existence absolutely necessary for the country, because it is
directly related to its economic and military independence and its culture, but
mainly to its future economic development and the strengthening of its political
role within the EU.
II. State Debt:
The reversal of the trend of shrinking of the Greek-flagged fleet and the
recovery of lost jobs for Greek seafarers and workers in related and ancillary
land occupations.
III. Axes and Objectives of the "Political Flag" and "Social Policy":
At national level:
Upgrading the role of the Ministry of Finance and Development as a Ministry of
Industry, Finance and Development. Particular emphasis is placed on the
promotion of know-how in the maritime sector, the highest quality level of
training and performance of business administrations and employees, and finally
the promotion, even optionally, of codes of conduct – and beyond the standards
of the International Code of Safe Management.
Implementation of a policy of incentives for the attraction and repatriation of
Greek-owned ships to the National Flag, and the creation of conditions (labor,
tax) that will make the Greek ship more competitive in the free market, without
undermining the standards and control of the Flag (Port State Control). These
include the modernization of the banking system, the good infrastructure of
maritime services, modern communication networks, the improvement of legal
services, insurance, diplomatic protection, as well as attractive financial
incentives for Greek-flagged vessels. We believe that with these measures and
others, the Flag of Opportunity, which represents a form of capital that is not
subject to social control, will become unprofitable. It is a symptom of the
economic system that developed world trade. In fact, the flag of convenience is
an invention to minimize costs and responsibilities and to degrade the levels of
safe operation and management of ships at the expense of healthy shipping
companies, the environment and workers.
Effective state monitoring and implementation of all international
anti-pollution regulations and standard studies, diplomas and prisons.
Production of highly professionally trained merchant marine executives.
Provide strong salary and pension incentives to attract young seafarers to the
profession and fight unemployment.
Immediate granting to our retired seafarers of 80% of the salary of their active
colleagues, consolidation of NAT and upgrade of the services of the Sailor's
House for effective health and hospital care, as well as the right to vote for
seafarers of coastal and sea shipping.
Development of research for the creation of a favorable environment and
conditions for increasing the competitiveness of our shipping in a free and open
market in maritime transport and the further shaping of Greece's maritime
future.
Renewal and modernization of passenger and ferry ferries, as well as the upgrade
of the services provided on them to higher quality levels.
At Community level:
The implementation of the International Maritime Organisation's international
labour rules, as binding at global level, must be the main objective of the
European Union. The above binding provisions will be mandatory by all flags, in
order to combat unfair competition. Ships that do not comply with these
standards and rules will be treated more unfavourably globally such as: more
expensive docking fees, ship and cargo insurance, stricter and more frequent
inspections and in case of infringements, higher fines, bans on sailing and
unloading, as well as financial penalties on cargo owners who knowingly or
negligently use ships that do not meet the standards and do not comply with the
rules. It is, at last, necessary to crack down on and eliminate "dangerous
shipping".
Finally, we believe that the criterion of measurable benefit for shaping the
maritime future of Greece and a substantial contribution to the competitiveness
of the shipping industries is: the maintenance, qualitative upgrade and increase
of the Greek-flagged fleet, the increase of jobs for Greek seafarers to the
greatest possible extent, the protection of the marine environment, as well as
the cleanliness of our coasts.
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