Zeybek and five New Left MPs submit parliamentary question on closure of OSE Drama Maintenance Unit lawmakers call decision “highly problematic” and demand immediate action

The initiative, led by Zeybek, places responsibility squarely on the government, urging immediate solutions to what MPs describe as a long-standing and worsening infrastructure problem in the region.

OSE Reorganization and Forced Relocations

According to the New Left MPs, under OSE’s new organizational structure, the Drama network maintenance unit is set to be fully abolished. As a result, five permanent employees currently working at the unit would be forced to relocate—either to Thessaloniki, Alexandroupoli, or even Athens, if required.

The MPs stressed that this decision would have serious professional and personal consequences for the workers and their families.

Impact on Railway Safety and Regional Infrastructure

In their statement, the MPs characterized the decision as extremely problematic, noting that passenger rail services in the region have been almost completely suspended for years, despite being under the government’s responsibility.

They highlighted that the Drama maintenance unit has a history spanning more than 100 years and continues to oversee the existing railway network, including lines extending toward Rodopoli (Serres) and the Promachonas border crossing.

Lawmakers warned that closing the unit would pose serious risks to railway safety, infrastructure monitoring, and maintenance, particularly in a region already suffering from declining rail connectivity.

Social Consequences for Workers and Families

Beyond infrastructure concerns, the MPs emphasized the social impact of forced relocations, pointing out that employees and their families would face major disruptions to their daily lives, social ties, and economic stability.

Questions Submitted to the Government

In their parliamentary question, the New Left MPs asked the government:

• Whether it intends to take any action to prevent the closure of the OSE network maintenance unit in Drama
• What specific measures will be taken to avoid the forced relocation of employees and their families

What the government’s overall plan is to address the railway accessibility crisis and infrastructure degradation experienced over the past six years in Drama, İskeçe, Gümülcine, Dedeağaç, and the wider Eastern Macedonia–Thrace region

Signatories

The parliamentary question was signed by Hüseyin Zeybek, along with:

Athanasia (Sia) Anagnostopoulou

Athanasios (Nasos) Iliopoulos

Theopisti (Peti) Perka

Meropi Tzoufi

Theano Fotiou