The president of the nationwide federation of Coast Guard employee unions Giorgos Drivakos has stressed the dramatic situation in the Eastern Aegean and Dodecanese Islands due to the influx of illegal migration.
Mr. Drivakos notes that there has been a sharp rise in illegal migration in the area, primarily in the Eastern Aegean and Dodecanese and argued that the Coast Guard is unable to respond adequately to challenges. He asserted that «patches and superficial solutions will not heal the wound«.
The main problems, according to Mr. Drivakos, are located in the reception and temporary detainment process, when dozens and often hundreds of migrants are crammed in the limited spaces available. Mr. Drivakos stresses the hygiene and security concerns, given the lack of funding, necessary infrastructure and staff shortages.
In concluding, Mr. Drivakos urged the government to take appropriate measures as the unions are not prepared to act as “scapegoats to a non-existent policy, nor of course because the target of a justified social outcry, due to the negligence of those in charge”.
