A team from the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Hellenic Coast Guard Personnel observed scenes resembling a malfunctioning mechanism during their visit to the port authorities in Crete. They highlighted the troubling situation regarding migration management on the island.
Crete has emerged as a new hub for migratory flows, where members of the Greek Coast Guard are engaged in a daily struggle with limited resources and insufficient support, often under perilous conditions for both themselves and the migrants.
Despite ongoing warnings and years of experience, Crete still lacks a Reception and Identification Center (RTC). As a result, coastguards must take on the dual roles of rescue and transport, as well as guarding and escorting migrants to mainland Greece.
This temporary custody has become prolonged and is often conducted in inadequate conditions. In Heraklion, migrants are held in an airless space with poor ventilation and no access to bathroom facilities, leading to serious health and humanitarian risks.
Exhausted and Invisible
“Crews have to work for two consecutive 24-hour shifts to transport migrants, without accommodation, rest, or even a cabin on the ferries. Upon their return, another incident is usually waiting. Exhaustion has become a constant reality, increasing the risk of errors or accidents,” stated the Federation.
“With the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum responsible for national planning, there is a troubling abdication of responsibility. Port officials in Crete are facing challenges beyond their designated roles, operating in a disorganized environment lacking necessary institutional and logistical support.”
The port officials urge for immediate solutions:
The Staff Associations from Eastern and Western Crete are raising the alarm and calling for urgent measures:
– Reinforcement of staff to support local authorities.
– Upgrade of positions and establishment of double crews for waterborne assets.
– Financial and health benefits for personnel stationed in Gavdos and other border areas.
– Extension of the night work allowance.
– Immediate creation of facilities for the accommodation and management of migrants in Crete.
The officials emphasize that illegal immigration is not a fleeting issue for Crete; it has become a daily reality. However, its management cannot proceed without proper organization, planning, and designated responsibilities. The current system resembles an out-of-control mechanism, with the burden increasingly falling on those least able to bear it.
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