“End dirty greed, breathe life into the worker and small and medium-sized enterprises,” was the central message sent by Alexis Tsipras after a morning visit to the family workshop in Egaleo. The conclusions reached by the President of SYRIZA PS, while talking with owners and workers about the current situation in the real economy, are that for business owners “the issue of high energy costs is a key issue, especially for the electricity-consuming business, as well as difficult access to financial instruments and bank lending. And for workers, “punctuality distributes wages before the end of the month.”

In particular, according to party sources, artisans reported that energy costs, combined with rising prices for raw materials, were “bringing” enterprises to their knees. They reported that “for some time the cost of energy has tripled, but even now, after subsidies, it is extremely high,” and in a comment by President Mr. Tsipras that “they have acquired a partner in the PPC industry,” the owner said. : “Don’t discuss it because we are an electric company. Of the 7,000 euros that were for electricity, we now pay 20,000 euros. There is a subsidy, but it is not enough, it has been doubled,” and this, as they reported, at a time when production was halved. Also highlighting the problem especially faced by small and medium enterprises, the lack of financial instruments and the attitude of banks, the owner of the vessel said that “the bank in order to finance you, and let’s note that we have a very good cooperation, first tie your feet, then hands and then money will give. That’s why we try to be free from debt. With zero borrowing.”

For his part, Mr. Tsipras emphasized that “when we talk about healthy entrepreneurship, we cannot just talk about some small and large business groups”, and noted that “all the perceptions that prevail today in government and in many municipalities, is to accumulate projects in large projects, so that they go to large business groups. He added that “small and medium businesses are in a lot of trouble, obviously because of the accuracy and energy costs, but also because all projects are piled on big ones, and small and medium businesses are forced to become subcontractors of large ones in order to make a piece of bread” . When asked by Mr. Tsipras what is the most important issue they would like the official opposition to highlight, he received the answer: “Great flexibility in state programs in relation to local self-government and the division of projects into more and more small projects”, while Mr. Tsipras recalled the FiloDimos program of the SYRIZA government.

The President of SYRIZA mentioned comparative initiatives to be taken. Specifically, he said that “the question is how to give motivation and opportunities to other businesses to thrive, and especially businesses like you that have prospered during this critical period, so that they don’t shut down, don’t wither. It’s not just energy costs, because there are other factors that create difficulties.” “Firstly,” he stressed, “these are financial instruments, the ability to provide projects through local government, the Recovery Fund, which is a big deal, a very big opportunity for the country.” He noted that “however, unfortunately, we are seeing the closing of agreements with large business groups.” In addition, he pointed out that “the big question is also the question of taxation, the question of ending the pretense.” Interventions, he says, that can breathe life into a business, endure.

An employee of the company told the President of SYRIZA that “the month is not working, we have a good job and we do not have enough money at the end of the month,” while Mr. Tsipras noted that “the purchasing power of income decreased by 40% to 750 euros per month “. He also stressed the need for “simultaneously raising wages and lowering inflation.” Regarding the household basket, the worker said “it didn’t offer anything” and the SYRIZA President commented that “they are reducing the packaging to show that the prices remain the same. As long as you see prices going up, some people are making billions out of it.” “On the back,” the worker added. “Of course, inflation is what followed the pandemic,” Mr. Tsipras continued, “but in Greece we are the champions in the accuracy of electricity, fuel, supermarkets.” He also referred to the “huge difference” in producer and consumer prices, stating that “on average it is 300% because there is no control.” He said that “energy companies and refineries have billions of dollars in surpluses on their balance sheets, as do supermarkets,” and noted: “Therefore, there must be justice. Put an end to dirty self-interest, let workers and small and medium-sized businesses breathe.

^{Source: RES-IPE}