“We thought that by rewarding all those who were responsible, we could build on a trend among those who were more indifferent and change their minds,” Kantonias said.
Greece, which got through the first phase of the pandemic last year in better shape than many other countries but saw a strong resurgence of the disease this year, has faced a worrying rise in case numbers in recent days and has started to tighten restrictions once again.
Next week the government is expected to announce compulsory vaccinations for workers in some key segments like healthcare and elderly care centres.
Currently, about 38% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated and the government has offered incentives, including cash and free mobile data for young people, in a bid to bring the rate up to 70% by the autumn.
For Yannis Panikos, a worker at the Cosmos Aluminium plant, the bonus was “a nice surprise” that should reassure the production floor.
“Certainly there is a fear, due to the conditions of production we come in contact with other colleagues, so there is always a fear when you hear about a case.”
