The business of the beach bar in Rhodes remains unaffected so far, despite the uproar that has been created and the controls that have found heaps of violations over the years.
The sunbeds placed just offshore remain in place as do the structures on the beach. Swimming waiters, trays full of food and drinks for the “elite customers” and prices for strong wallets. The illegal floating sunbed is charged 150 euros.
All this at a time when the public prosecutor’s investigation is underway for the beach bar in question in Rhodes, which has been operating illegally and without a license since 2016. MEGA channel’s check of the beach bar is revealing.
What the business owner says
According to the manager of the company who spoke to MEGA channel, serving in the water is a choice for workers, while, as he says, everyone is protected from the high temperatures by wearing special clothes.
“The delivery of the orders to the beach chairs is a choice of the employees. No one sits in the water for 2 or 3 hours, they wear special suits that dry in 3 minutes, they have changing rooms and they agree with each other on who will deliver the orders, although most of the time the customers pick up the trays themselves. The shop is licensed and the sunbeds remain in place because they are mobile structures that go in and out.”
They won’t take down the sunbeds
However, the president of the labor center of Rhodes, Panagiotis Englesos, complains that on the island there is no technical level of inspectors responsible for the safety and hygiene of workers.
“The body of labor inspectors has specific responsibilities, whether the employee is registered with ERGANI, how many hours he is employed and whether he is paid his wages. It cannot check whether the employee has health and safety issues in his workplace.”
According to an ultimatum issued by the cadaster office of the island, the beach bar must remove the floating sunbeds by July 21, something however the company does not seem willing to do.
According to the officials of the beach bar, the in-sea sunbeds are mobile, that is, they can be placed and removed at will, therefore they are not considered arbitrary and they do not intend to remove them.
Greek paradox
The paradox of the whole affair is that after successive spot checks, inspections and sometimes stiff fines by the port authorities, the decentralized Aegean administration, the Dodecanese land service and the Ephorate of Antiquities, the business, which is located inside a beach and within the boundaries of an archaeological site, continues to function normally.
What is even more paradoxical is that as many times as the municipality decided to shut down its operation, this was done at the end of October when the summer season was already over.
With their open letter, four municipal councilors request, among other things, the modernization of the legislation concerning the operation of beach bars. As they say, there is no clear operating framework and thus entrepreneurs are driven to illegality.
Latest News
INSETE Report: Greece a Hotspot for European Vacationers
Greece among top five countries on travelers' itineraries from Germany, France and the UK
Study: Cost of Basic Food Basket in Greece and Other Countries
The findings are based on IELKA's regular report, which includes a price comparison study using data from price comparison platforms in each country and direct price checks from supermarket chains.
DBRS: Greece’s Economic Reforms Boost Growth Prospects, But Investment Gap Remains
However, despite these advancements, Greece still faces a substantial investment gap compared to its eurozone peers.
Greeks Took Out 65% Loans Online in 2023
Approximately 850-euro-million worth of loans in 2023 were issued via e-banking and mobile banking
Greece-Egypt “GREGY” Interconnector Moving Ahead as Planned
The GREGY project aims to bring an underwater cable from Egypt to Greece to transport electricity generated in Egypt, through renewable sources, to Europe
Greece: AADE Completes Major Overhaul of Attica Tax Services
Taxpayers in Attica will be served digitally through the "My Requests" application on the myAADE digital portal (myaade.gov.gr) or via the myAADEapp.
Cocktail of Dust and Heat Brings Stifling Sunday Weather
Meteorologists expect the conditions to persist until at least Wednesday
Greek Hotels Vindicated by Commission’s Ruling on Booking.com
The Commission has ruled that Booking is a "gatekeeper" and must comply with the Digital Marketing Act, addressing complaints by the European Hotel Industry and Hellenic Chamber of Hotels
Which Islands Will Have Italians Flocking to Greece this Summer?
Well-known Italian travel magazine details reasons why Skopelos, Naxos and Astypalaia are the go-to summer destinations for Italians
Antentokounmpo 5th Highest Paid Athlete in World
The basketball player rakes in 111 million dollars per year, between his salary at the Bucks and endorsements from big brands like Amazon, Nike and Pepsi