Migration to Greece • Bangladeshi migrants arrived in Greece during the 1970s• During the 1980s the numbers of Bangladeshi nationals

residing in Greece grew rather slowly. • During the 90s the numbers of Bangladeshis in Greece

started to become more and more significant.• Bangladeshis are residing in Greece undocumented as,

especially due to the difficulties they encounter in obtaining the required number of social security stamps, they simply fail to renew their permits.

Pathways of Migration In Greece• Coming to Greece is a long and dangerous journey that

may last a couple of days,

months, or even years.• Two main ways of entering Greece:

1) legal entry with a tourist visa, and 2) irregular entry. • Bangladeshi migrants comes to Greece irregularly,

crossing either the Aegean or the borders in the North of Greece. Yet, some Bangladeshis also enter the country legally with a tourist visa.

Bangladeshi in Greece 

• In 2001 the Census revealed there were 4.854 persons from Bangladesh residing in Greece

• in April 2008, 3.761 Bangladeshis

were in possession of a valid residence permit• In March 2009 there were 3.119 Bangladeshis still holding a

valid residence permit.• Bangladeshis often struggle to obtain the required number of

social security stamps and are therefore unable to renew their permits

Employment Sector 

• Common sectors of employment for Bangladeshi migrants in Athens are manufacturing, construction, and the service industry (restaurants & catering, shops, hotels etc.).

• Many also have no choice but to resort to street-vending so as to be able to make some form of income.

• Regardless of whether they are self-employed shop-owners (minimarkets, calling centers, restaurants) or employed laborers (factory/construction workers, waiters, cleaners), their days are commonly typified by long working hours and relatively meager incomes

 Behind the red-tainted fields  

• Manolada, Greece: Located in the region of Ilia in the western Peloponnese• 2000 residents and 4000 migrants mostly from Bangladesh & Pakistan• Hundreds of hectares of land for intensive greenhouse cultivation.  • Turnover of more than 90 million Euros• Strawberry production covers the largest part (up to 95%) of the Greek market.

• 70% is exported to countries such as Russia, Germany and the UK, among others.

• 25 Bangladeshi living in one tent• Temperatures in the tent rise        up to 40 degrees in summer• No electricity, nor a sewage system

• Exploitation, blood and impunity perhaps best describe the grim reality behind the red-tainted fields.

• The workers’ accommodation as a “human rubbish dump”•  Labor and health inspections have been conducted several times — but nothing has 

changed

In April 2013• 22 Euros Per day • No wages until last six month • Bangladeshi migrants demanded six months’ worth in outstanding wages.• Three foremen open fired to the migrants  • 35 Bangladeshi Wounded and several in critical condition

In June 2013• On June 6, a court in Patras finally opened the case• The three shooters and their employer Nicos Vangelatos were arrested on

charges of labor trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and breaches of employment laws. 

• Golden Dawn denied any involvement. Instead, the party leadership condemned the shooters for “employ[ing] illegal immigrants, depriving a living from thousands Greek families.”

Greek Justice !!!!!

30 July 2014 • The court in Patras acquitted two of the accused — including Vangelatos, the 

employer• The charges of labor trafficking were dropped• The two other men, the actual shooters, received initial sentences of over 14 and 8 

years, but they were both conditionally released after appealing against the verdict, with the option of paying  a five-euro fine per day instead.

Immediate Reaction • "It sends the message that a foreign worker can die like a

dog in the orchard," said Vassiliki Katrivanou, an MP of opposition party

• "I feel shame as a Greek," said the Bangladeshis' lawyer, Moisis Karabeyidis, after the ruling in the western port city of Patras. "This decision is an outrage and a disgrace … the court showed an appalling attitude toward the victims."

• The Guardian : Greek court acquits farmers who shot 28 Bangladeshi strawberry pickers

• BBC: Greek farmers charged with shooting migrants freed• Amnesty International: Greece: Despair pervades camps

after 33 migrant workers shot in Manolada

We strongly demand for Justice