Dear ENEM members, on Tuesday, January 31, the government introduced the amendment that Prime Minister Mitsotakis had announced on Saturday via social media. Not only does this amendment fail to address the problems created by Presidential Decree 85/2022, but it also eliminates the remaining rights of artists. It states that all forms of remuneration for artists employed by local government agencies and private legal entities are determined by joint ministerial decisions of the Ministers of Finance, Culture, and the Interior, as well as any other relevant minister on a case-by-case basis. This means that, going forward, artists’ fees in the broader public sector and in private-law legal entities will no longer be determined by collective bargaining agreements, but by the government in power at the time. This is a direct attack on our labor rights, while simultaneously opening the door for this model to be applied in other sectors as well. The amendment does not repeal the Presidential Decree, and graduates of arts schools—including drama, music, film, and dance schools—are classified as “D.E.” Consequently, degrees from arts schools continue to be considered equivalent to high school diplomas, and graduates are now permanently downgraded. Even those currently classified in the T.E. pay grade are at risk of being downgraded. Our demands are clear, specific, and well-thought-out from the outset: – Repeal of Presidential Decree 85/2022 regarding artistic specializations – Restoration of our professions to the TE status for all (and PE for those fields where it previously applied) – Establishment of a public and tuition-free system of higher education in the arts (University of Performing Arts) – Until its establishment, a definitive resolution to the issue of our diplomas from 2003 until then – Strengthening of arts and aesthetics education in secondary education. Our union supports and actively participates in the strikes and marches that have taken place, are taking place, and will take place in the future, faithfully adhering to the statements of support for the struggle against the violation of our rights and our dignity. POTHA, SEH, Panhellenic Federation of Local Government Artistic Staff (POKP-OTA), the Panhellenic Federation of Local Government Employees (POE-OTA), and ADEDY, stand united and will continue to do so. The Board of Directors of ENEM
