A. Georgiadis: “Having a shortage of labor and illegal immigrants who are not able to work is a luxury”

Labor Minister Adonis Georgiades tried to justify the amendment, which links the residence permit of illegal immigrants with legal work, with a new post on Twitter, saying that “at a time when there is a shortage of labor, not legalizing them is a luxury and a mistake“!

The minister even published a letter sent to him by a businessman who claims that… “there are not enough workers” and that this amendment will “untie our hands.”

Therefore, it is understandable why the government legalizes thousands of illegal immigrants without any criteria and without knowing their background. It is enough to find labor and satisfy the needs of businessmen. And it doesn’t matter that this will have consequences for public safety and the future fate of the nation.

It should be added that the term “illegal immigrants” (λαθρομετανάστες) used by the Minister is inappropriate, as is the term “irregulars” used by the media. The appropriate term is “illegal immigrants” as used by the UN and EU.

It should be noted that yesterday from the rostrum of parliament the minister commented on the reaction of the former prime minister Antonis Samaras on the amendment on residence permits for illegal immigrants, noting that his statement was respectful and he was justified in expressing his concerns.

“Today these people can get a permit and work for 6 months, and now for 2 months,” he said in parliament, explaining that “there are areas of the country where at the same time we cannot find agricultural workers to collect fruits, and there are areas where we do not allow them. This is absurd. We have no reason to continue“, – he said.

https://twitter.com/AdonisGeorgiadi/status/1735903963524817310

Below is the full message:
“I have always liked and still like free, serious discussions with arguments. Social networks could contribute to this if there were no toxicity and shouting in them.

Of the many messages I have received about the controversial situation – most of them, I admit, negative, but I expected it – I show you one of the many positive ones, which describes both the existing problem and the expectations it creates, and that is why we introduced it. I am committed to personally responding to any comments you make as long as they are well-worded and express genuine concerns.
Therefore, it is understandable why the government is starting to legalize thousands of illegal immigrants, without any criteria and without knowing their biography.
As long as labor was available and the demands of businessmen were satisfied.

I do not hide it, because I have never hidden my political decisions; on the contrary, I consider it my duty, as a politician, to explain to public opinion why I make this or that decision. We are not tyrants, but democratically elected politicians, and ultimately we answer only to you, who have the right and opportunity to fire us if you think we are not doing our job.

On the other hand, a politician is not one who makes only easy and popular decisions, but one who does what he considers necessary for the country. We may make mistakes, but we should not doubt our intentions. This amendment, in my opinion, is an attempt to restore order to the existing reality, which each of us could not help but encounter in our social environment.

Illegal immigrants living and working illegally in menial and uninsured jobs. Some of them claim that if they had the opportunity, they would be insured and work legally. At a time of such severe labor shortages, this is both wrong and luxurious for me as Secretary of Labor.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t understand and respect my fellow citizens’ genuine concerns about its impact on the immigration issue itself. So let’s discuss this in good faith.

It goes without saying that any offensive, ironic or cheap humorous comment will be deleted and its sender blocked, because they are the ones who, through their behavior, nullify the enormous potential of this medium for real and fruitful dialogue.

Good morning, Merry Christmas.”

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