[box] Over 130 civil society organisations, trade unions and individuals from Greece, Europe and around the world have teamed up with 50 Members of the European Parliament to send a letter to the bidders of the public water company in Thessaloniki urging them to drop their bid.[/box]

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The group has sent letters to companies including the French multinational Suez Environnement, Greek groups Aktor S.A and Terna Energy S.A as well as the Israeli groups Mekorot and Arison Investment concerning their reported bids for EYATH, the Thessaloniki Water and Sewage Company.

Under conditions imposed by the Troika to reduce Greece’s debt, EYATH has been put up for sale by the Greek government against the peoples’ wish. The citizens of the city, the workers as well as the municipalities of Thessaloniki oppose the sale of their public water and have set up different campaigns to stop this privatization.

“While in Greece there is no precedent, the international experience has shown that the privatisation of water has often resulted in the skyrocketing of prices and in some cases in the deterioration of water quality. Although the trend in Europe is towards remunicipalization of our water systems, we are being forced to go the opposite way here,” says Maria Kanellopoulou of initiative Save Greek Water. “EYATH is the first case of water privatization that we need to stop to make sure it does not spread to the rest of Greece,” she added. 

“Companies involved in water privatization have often found their reputations tarnished, their risks increased and their profits limited. The companies aiming to buy EYATH would be clearly basing their business model on opportunism and should take this as a warning sign of the difficulties to come,” said George Archontopoulos from the EYATH Workers Union.

“Last week the Eldorado Gold Corporation announced the suspension of production at the Halkidiki goldmine in Greece. This is another example of a company which is not wanted in Greece and which the people are prepared to fight against to stop the exploitation of one of their common resources. The residents have managed to stall the mine’s activities by a durable and dynamic resistance. This is the same situation we see for the protection of public water and EYATH in Thessaloniki,“ said Gabriella Zanzanaini, Director of European Affairs for Food & Water Europe.

“50 MEPs from the Conservatives, the Popular Party, the Liberals, the Greens, the Socialists and the Left from 18 countries cosigned the letter. This massive participation shows that international and local opposition to the sale of water services will pose a toll over any company that takes part in these privatizations. Companies should make a profit from the trade of private goods, not from acquiring market control over public goods. The European Parliament is sending a clear warning to the Greek government that the privatization of water is neither welcomed nor helping Greece to exit the crisis,” said Kriton Arsenis, Greek MEP, who helped to circulate the letter in the European Parliament.

The groups support keeping the profitable water company in public ownership, where real participation of citizens and workers in the management of water can happen. Considering the current European context where over 1, 600 000 citizens have signed the European Citizens Initiative to protect the right to water and the European Commission’s recent removal of water services from the controversial Concessions Directive, these companies would be going against the tide if they push forward on their bid for EYATH. 

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THE LETTER

We do not want you in Thessaloniki. Please withdraw your bid.

To the companies bidding for EYATH, the Thessaloniki Water and Sewage Company

The press has reported that your company is participating in a bid for Eyath, the Thessaloniki Water and Sewage Company. We ask you to withdraw your bid.

You will be aware that the privatisation of Eyath is opposed by the citizens of the city, by the workers as well as by the municipalities of Thessaloniki. The only reason that this privatisation is going ahead is because it is imposed by the Greek government, itself under pressure from the Troika to reduce Greek debt. There is nothing noble in profiting from this privatisation for you and your company. People in Thessaloniki, supported by many groups are concerned that you pursue profits at the expense of workers and citizens. As in other places, you will likely face years of protracted opposition both in Thessaloniki, Greece and across the world. These struggles are well documented. The companies involved find their reputations tarnished, their credibility in shreds, their risks increased and profits limited. We believe your bid is based on a feeble business case. We would hope that corporations today don’t base their business model on opportunism, nor venture into initiatives where they are clearly unwelcome.

There is an alternative to your bid that is supported by the workers of Eyath, by Thessonikians, by the municipalities, and us. That is to keep water in public ownership and ensure it can continue to deliver a high quality service. It is based on the fact that water is a common good and access to drinking water and sanitation is a basic human right as recognized by the UN (2010) and the successful European Citizens Initiative “Water a Human Right”.

We therefore ask you to withdraw your bid and let the citizens of Thessaloniki determine the future of Eyath.

Yours sincerely,

 Signed by

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GREECE

Organisations

Art Bank, Greece

·       Athens Initiative for a self – organized field at Hellenikon, Greece

·       Citizens of Pilio against the privatization and sell-off of water, Greece

·       Citizens’ Initiative for a fundamental constitutional revision

·       Consumer Social Cooperative of Thessaloniki “Βίος Coop”, Greece

·       Ecological Group “Mother Earth”, Pieria, Greece

·       Ecology-Solidarity (Oikologia – Allilengyi), Greece

·       Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki, Greece

·       Ecology-Greens (Oikologi – Prasinoi) of Central Macedonia

·       EDOTH N/T ADEDY THESSALONIKIS

·       ELE Audit committee for the public debt of Greece

·       Environmental Society of Preveza, Greece

·       FOINIX Organization for sustainable growth applications, Crete

·       Free Popular Resistance Group (E.L.L.A.S.), Greece

·       Hellenic Biodiversity Center, Greece

·       Ikaria Center for Documentation, Research and Action, Greece

·       Initiative 136, Greece

·       Initiative for an understanding of waste disposal management, Greece

·       Network of Exchange and Solidarity of Magnesia, Greece

·       Pancretan Struggle Network against Industrial Renewable Energy Sources

·       People’s University of Social Solidarity Economy, Greece

·       PROSKALO – Cooperation Initiative for the Social and Solidarity Economy

·       SEEYATH, Somateio Ergazomenon EYATH, Greece

·       SOStetoNERO, Greece

·       Save Greek Water, Greece

·       Trade Unions Centre of Thessaloniki, part of G.S.E.E, Greece

·       Without Debt, Without Euro – Community of Thought and Action, Greece

EUROPE

Organisations

·       Action from Ireland, Ireland

·       Agua de Todos, Portugal

·       Abvakabo FNV, The Netherlands

·       Aquattac

·       Alburnus Maior Association (Save Rosia Montana Campaign)

·       Asociatia Bankwatch Romania

·       Associação Sindical dos Profissionais da Inspecção Tributária, Portugal

·       ATTAC Austria

·       ATTAC Castilla y León, Spain

·       ATTAC España

·       ATTAC Norway

·       Berliner Wassertisch, Germany

·       BSRB Federation of State and Municipal Employees, Iceland

·       Campaign for the Welfare State, Norway

·       Centro di Volontariato Internazionale, Italia

·       CGSP Centrale Générale des Services Publics Wallonne, Belgium

·       Confederação Portuguesa das Colectividades de Cultura, Recreio e Desporto (CPCCRD), Portugal

·       Coordination Eau Île-de-France, France

·       Corporate Europe Observatory

·       Coordination Gaz-Électricité-Eau Bruxelles, Belgium   

     Coordination Rhône-Méditerranée des Associations des Usagers de l’Eau, France

     CSC-FEC, Belgium

·       Eau Bien Commun PACA, France

·       Eau Secours 34, France

·       Ecologistas en Acción, Spain

·       Eco Ruralis Association – In support of traditional and organic farmers

·       ELA, Basque Workers Solidarity

·       Euracme, Belgium

·       European Federation of Food Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, Belgium

·       European Federation of Public Service Unions

·       European Water Movement

·       Federacion de Empleados Publicos de la Union Sindical Obrera, España

·       Federation “Construction, Industry and Water-Supply” – “PODKREPA”, Bulgaria

·       Fédération des services publics CGT, France

·       FOA – Trade and Labour, Denmark

·       Food & Water Europe

·       Forum Italiano Movimenti per l’Acqua, Italy

·       Foundation for Environment and Agriculture, Bulgaria

·       France Libertés – Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, France

·       Gemeingut in BürgerInnenhand (GiB), Germany

·       GoodPlanet Belgium

·       Government and Public Entities Section – General Workers’ Union, Malta

·       InfOMG – Information Center about GMO’s, Romania

·       Ingénieurs sans frontières, Belgium

·       Institut Européen de Recherche sur la Politique de l’Eau, Belgium

·       Kairos Europe

·       Marée Citoyenne, France

·       Movimento Pela Água, Portugal

·       Mouvement Utopia, France

·       Pancyprian Freedom Guild Worker Water Boards, Cyprus

·       Parti ÉGALITÉ, Belgium

·       Social Development Cooperative, The Netherlands

·       SIPTU Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union, Ireland

·       Swedish Municipal Workers Union, Kommunal, Sweden

·       Sindikata zdravstva Crne Gore, Montenegro

·       The Angry Youth – informal group in Cluj-Napoca, Romania

·       The Corner House, UK

·       The Finnish Public Services Unions’ EU Party FIPSU ry, Finland

·       The Slovak-Scandinavian cooperative Urd, Slovakia

·       Trade Union of Local Government Employess, Denmark

·       Trade Union of State and Local Goverment Employees, Croatia

·       Trade Union of  Public and Welfare Sectors JHL ry, Finland

·       Objectif Ô, Belgium

·       Organic Agriculture Association, Albania

·       Oxfam Solidarité, Belgium

·       PROTOS, Belgium

·       Re:Common, Italy

·       Re.Generation – Bucharest, Romania

·       VISION, Sweden

·       Vodovod I Kanalizacija, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

·       Water Movement Norway

·       WIB “Wasser in Bürgerhand”, Germany

·       Unison, Bristol Water Services Branch, UK

·       UNIÃO DOS SINDICATOS DE LISBOA (USL/CGTP-IN), Portugal

·       Zukunftskonvent, Germany

INTERNATIONAL

Organisations

·       Alliance of Government Workers in the Water Sector, Philippines

·       Blue Planet Project, Canada

·       Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canada

·       Citizen’s Front for Water Democracy (CFWD), India

·       Confederation Chretienne des Syndicats Malgaches “Sekrima”, Madagascar

·       Federación Nacional de Trabajadores del Agua Potable del Peru, Peru

·       Federation of Parastatal Bodies and Other Unions, Mauritius

·       Food & Water Watch, USA

·       Information Resource Centre (For Mah. labour) Nagpur, India

·       Jubilee South Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development

·       KRuHA people’s coalition for the right to water, Indonesia

·       LDA EU, Pakistan

·       Nagpur Municipal Corporation Employees Union, India

·       National Platform Against Water Privatization (NPAWP), India

·       The Council of Canadians, Canada

·       Transnational Institute

·       Public Sector Employees Fedration of Pakistan, Pakistan

·       Public Service Alliance of Canada, Canada

·       Public Services International

·       Red Vida, the Americas

·       South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), South Africa

·       Su Hakki Kampanyasi, Turkey

·       Swarna Hansa Foundation, Sri Lanka

·       Water & Energy Users’ Federation (WAFED), Nepal

Members of the European Parliament

·       ANDERSON Martina, Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, Ireland

·       ARLACCHI Pino, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

·       ARSENIS Kriton, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Greece

·       BALDINI Marino,Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Croatia

·       BÈLIER Sandrine, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, France

·       BENNAHMIAS Jean-Luc, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, France

·       CASHMAN Michael, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, United Kingdom

·       CASTEX Françoise, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, France

·       CHILDERS Nessa, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Ireland

·       COFFERATI Sergio Gaetano, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

     DELVAUX Anne, Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), Belgium

·       EICKHOUT Bas, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Netherlands

·       GARCIA-HIERRO CARABALLO Dolores, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Spain

·       HÂNDEL Thomas, Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, Germany

·       JAAKONSAARI Liisa, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Finland

·       JADOT Yannick, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, France

·       JONG de Cornelis, Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, Netherlands

·       KADENBACH Karin, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Austria

·       KLEVA KEKUŠ Mojca, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Slovenia

·       KOVÀCS Béla, Non-attached Members, Hungary

·       LAMBERT Jean, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, United Kingdom

·       LEICHTFRIED Jörg, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Austria

·       LEINEN Jo, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Germany

·       MERKIES Judith A., Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Netherlands

·       MILANA Guido, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

·       MIRANDA Ana, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Spain

·       PALECKIS Justas Vincas, Lithuania

·       PAPADOPOULOU Antigoni, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Cyprus

·       PERELLO RODRIGUEZ, Andres, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Spain

·       PIRILLO Mario, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

·       PITTELA Gianni, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

·       PRODI Vittorio, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

·       REGNER Evelyn, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Austria

·       RIVASI Michèle, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, France

·       ROMEVA I RUEDA Raül, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Spain

·       RÜHLE Heidi, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Germany

·       SCHOLZ Helmut, Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, Germany

·       SIMON Peter, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Germany

·       STADLER Ewald, Non-attached member, Austria

·       STAES Bart, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Belgium

·       TARABELLA Marc, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Belgium

·       TOIA Patrizia, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Italy

·       ULVSKOG Marita, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Sweden

·       VAJGL Ivo, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Slovenia

·       WEIDENHOLZER Josef, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Austria

·       WILS Sabine, Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, Germany

·       WOJCIECHOWSKI Janusz, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Poland

·       ZANONI Andrea, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Italy

·       ZIMMER Gabi, President of Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, Germany, Germany

INDIVIDUALS 

 ·     David McDonald, Professor, Queen’s University, Canada

·       David Barkin, Profesor de Economía, Mexico

·       Lucienne THIPHAINE, journaliste et plasticienne. France

·       Ursula Pezeu, sophrologist, translator, France

·       Jutta Schutz, Aquattac

·       Leslie Franke and Herdolor Lorenz, Kernfilm

·       Evgnomia Xinu, Thessaloniki, Greece

·       Christophe Thurotte, Chargé d’études, GAIA Concept, France

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[box] A press conference of the coordinating committee of citizens and organizations “SOSte the water” held on 24/4 at the Labour Centre of Thessaloniki in which spoke members of the coordinating committee Archontopoulos George, president of the Association of Workers EYATh and John Krestenitis Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.[/box]

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Panagiotis Avramopoulos, President of the City Council , Deputy Mayor of Thermi Socrates Famelos , the Councillor of the city board of Thessaloniki Triantafillos Mitafidis and the Regional Director of Central Macedonia George Theodoropoulos welcomed and expressed their support to the struggle of coordinating committee

The financial data from EYATh presented by G. Archontopoulos highlighted that “Gross earnings during 2007-2011 is 143 million euros, so we understand that according to the tender notice for sale EYATh, the 80 million euro, which TAIPED implies for participation in the competition is undervalued. ”

“Of course we are not focusing on the cheap sale , how could we evaluate a commodity essential to life? We just want to show how sketchy the privatization process is, like the fact that despite announcements for a Regulatory Authority that shall determine the price of water, eventually the price will be appointed by a minister’s office. The competition progresses and there no decision about it yet”

Referring to the decline in consumption due to the financial crisis (the last three years consumption was reduced by about 6,000,000 cubic meters) and the inability citizens to pay their water bills underlined “These figures are numbers for EYATh but for us correspond to our fellow citizens “and added” we owe to our fellow citizens to do everything in our power not to pass the privatization ”

“Who is ultimately in favor of privatization ?” wondered G. Archontopoulos conveying the experience of the coordinator of interacting with citizens of Thessaloniki.

He continued by adding “A profitable business is sell out” and announced “a fight to the end.” “Foreigners who are about to come should know very well what awaits them , they have had this experience in other countries where from they were kicked out, therefore they should be aware to face a society in the trenches against privatization. “he added.

John Krestenitis spoke for his international experience and “failed” attempts to privatize water: “In Paris, Berlin, Nice, private water &sewerage companies were kicked out and here attempt to impose them. The Dutch prohibit by law the selling off. The Italians banned it by referendum. Austrians and Germans have only Municipal Enterprises “he said.

He stressed that wherever applied the privatization of water ” only citizens lost and companies won.”

“Privatisation led to exorbitant increase in water and sewer bills (up to 7 times), depletion of water resources, poor maintenance of water supply and sanitation, increase water losses and degradation of water quality and the environment.” he added.

Furthermore he explained the three main objectives of the committee which are to inform citizens, the European online campaign collecting signatures “right to water” and the referendum.

“The fight will be tough,” said George Theodoropoulos and added that “a victory against privatization EYATh will also mark the struggle against privatization and other public bodies such as the Port and ELVO.”

“The city council in 2011 decided against the privatization of water and updated its decision in 2013. Our position is clear. Water should stay public control “said Panagiotis Avramopoulos.

Regarding the referendum he pointed out that even the city council has not acted on but his personal opinion is positive.

Municipal councillor D.Mitafidis spoke for the concept of “water democracy” and added that fortunately the idea of a referendum is rather mature.
Deputy Mayor of Thermi Socrates Famelos pointed out that ” Thessaloniki’s water is not for sale and will not be sold” must be the motto of Municipalities.
S. Famelos called the municipalities “owners of water” who as he said represent the society that paid for water and sanitation.

Furthermore he referred to the decision of Regional Association of Municipalities as well as the decisions of municipalities Thermi and Hortiati against the privatization of water and for the remunicipalization of EYATh in favor of the movement against the sale and support of the referendum. He noted that the Municipalities of Kalamaria and Thessaloniki have already decided against privatization while Municipality of Oreokastro has taken an explicit decision to hold a referendum.

Finally the Coordinating Committee organizes on Monday, April 29, (a date when the first phase of the privatization competition and submitted bids ends), mobilization and activities against the privatization of water outside the EYATh at 12.00.

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[box] The Thessaloniki Municipality Council voted a resolution against the privatization of EYATH. The text is short and clear. There still remains to be seen how this resolution will convert to political actions. [/box]

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Municipality of Thessaloniki

Council Meeting of 21 January 2013

Resolution for keeping EYATH a public controlled company

The Council unanimously decided:

In view of the commencement of the procedures through which the EYATH shares will be given to private persons/companies, the Council feels compelled to once more state that, water being a public and social resource, it cannot be submitted to the rules of free market nor can it become an item used for private profits.

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