Greek ship-owners declared «war» for tax privileges

The British newspaper “The Guardian” referred to the “war” that has been declared by the Greek shipping tycoons due to the Greek Government’s will to reduce their tax privileges, by pointing out a long lasting Greek contradiction. Although they are part of the wealthiest people in Greece, owners of the biggest commercial fleet worldwide, with bank accounts and property portfolios that elicit awe, they enjoy a preferential tax treatment comparing to the rest Greek citizens.

This privileged -and enshrined in the Greek constitution- treatment was challenged by the Greek government due to the government’s luck of cash, by obliging the Greek ship-owners to contribute to the so far voluntary tax payments which were mutually agreed last summer. According to “Guardian” the ship-owners felt resented by this government decision.

The article comments that the same time that the rest of the Greeks have been hit by a barrage of taxes and the country was forced to accept international aid in order to avert bankruptcy, the famous Greek shipping industry lobby denies to comply.

The Greek ship-owners supported that this decision is a constitution deviation and that will cause a negative climate for any type of business investment in the country and luck of trust for the legislators which can lead them to an exodus from the Greek flag even from Greece itself. In that case which will be the new destination for the Greek shipping capitals? According to the shipping expert David Glass there are other countries that can offer competitive tax regimes.

That means that the Greek ship-owners’ threat is not unrealistic and perhaps some of them are already prepared to register their ships elsewhere. Meanwhile they have recently placed a record number of new ships’ orders build in shipyards worldwide leaving behind other global competitors.

The plutocrats with the great influence, “Guardian” comments, declared war to the fragile Greek government while the country is struggling to survive through the worst economic crisis in its history. In a country with 28% unemployment record - the highest in the European Union-, which face an escalating social and financial marginalization, the governments’ decision for this tax was welcomed by the Greek people.

Perhaps the “rebellious” ship-owners should respect these people acknowledging the sacrifices they made in order to lift the burden of economic crisis.