The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has sold ‘Radiotileoptiki SA’, the company managing «902», its television and radio station, to a private business. According to a report by “Ta Nea”, the sale had been planned for months and even included a clause so that none of the sides backed down from the deal.
One of the terms imposed by the new owner was that Radiotileoptiki SA was sold free of employees, with the 48 employees working for the radio and television stations facing dismissal.
Since mass layoffs are illegal, the employees will be diverted to other party enterprises, before being dismissed. The party claims that the employees’ worker rights are not at risk. A small number of these employees, about four, will be rehired in order to carry on operating the party’s website. This practice will also be observed for employees at the party’s newspaper ‘Rizospastis’.
Meanwhile, the television and radio management has begun talks with employees facing dismissal over unpaid wages. The management will likely ask employees to accept a 40% “haircut”.
The sale of Radiotileoptiki SA is expected to be complete by the end of August. Until then, the radio station will broadcast music, with the possibility of a short news program.
