In the new parliamentary intervention of the Member of Parliament of Lakonia, Thanasis Davakis, for the acceleration of the time-consuming procedures required for the transfer of land workers, the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Dimitrios Kairidis, responded that the ministry has planned the use of new technological interventions with which, in combined with the entry into force of the new Immigration Code from 1-1-2024, it is expected to simplify and modernise the process of examining the relevant applications - including the importation of Pakistani agricultural workers.
In addition, the minister submitted the data requested by the Laconian MP regarding the number of pending applications for the region of Laconia, Notos Press reported.
The data shows that for 2022, there are 129 pending applications from Laconian producers involving 133 citizens of third countries, while for 2023, the pending applications increase dramatically to 773 for 1412 citizens of third countries.
Regarding concluding bilateral agreements with other countries on the model of the Greece-Egypt and Greece-Bangladesh agreements, the minister replied that the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum has signed a statement of intent with Pakistan to start relevant exploratory discussions.
Regarding the course of the two above agreements, the response of the competent Ministry of Foreign Affairs is waiting.
Referring to this answer, Mr. Davakis stated:
"From the response of the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, it appears that an effort is being made to speed up the repatriation of land workers through new technological interventions and the implementation of the new Immigration Code.
However, the problem continues to exist, especially given the new olive and citrus harvest season that will begin soon, since a large number of applications remain pending at the Residence Permits Department of Laconia, which makes it necessary to coordinate the co-competent Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior Affairs, Labor and Social Security, Immigration and Asylum, Rural Development and Food, to take immediate initiatives.
The full text of the answer: