Greece’s Prime Minister Costas Simitis warned construction companies they could be expelled from the Athens 2004 Olympic Village building site if they fail to bolster safety measures following the death of four workers this year.
Also, about 1,500 workers at the village called a 48-hour strike after a 32-year-old Romanian man was killed Monday after falling off a crane. He was the fourth construction worker to die on the site this year.
He warned construction companies they could also face temporary suspensions for minor safety infractions. His warning came after Olympic Village officials said they would take legal action against construction companies that do not follow safety regulations.
The Olympic Village is one of the few construction projects for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games that is not delayed, and has been showcased by organizers as an example of how Athens has made up for years of lost time. The government has been working overtime to make up for delays that threatened to derail the Games.
Government spokesman Tilemahos Hitiris said 85 per cent of the people helping build the village are unskilled foreign workers who have little experience in construction. He said, “it is the fault of the contractors. They (did) not carry out the measures of protection…that is why these accidents have occurred”.
Workers’ representatives have repeatedly complained of poor conditions, including a lack of drinking water, toilets and a general lack of oversight by officials. Some workers have complained they have no contracts, overtime pay or benefits.
Meanwhile the coordinator of Athens’ Olympic preparations confirmed the government will go ahead with plans to cancel or scale-back some sports venues for the Games. Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said Athens will not build a new Olympic boxing venue, but instead use an existing facility.
Hitiris confirmed a series of venue cuts were discussed – including one of two planned seaside beach volleyball courts, a hockey stadium, and a baseball diamond. Hitiris said Athens 2004 organizers and the IOC had all agreed on such cuts.
