Closure of ELTA Branches in Greece Sparks Debate

The news in Greek

1. αποφασίζω
   παίρνω μια απόφαση μετά από σκέψη ή συζήτηση ↩︎
2. εκσυγχρονίζω
   κάνω κάτι σύγχρονο, το ανανεώνω με βάση τα σημερινά πρότυπα ↩︎
3. προκαλώ
   είμαι η αιτία ή η αφορμή για κάτι ↩︎
4. ανησυχία  (f.)
   κατάσταση στην οποία κάποιος νιώθει άγχος ή φόβο για κάτι ↩︎
5. κοινότητα  (f.)
   σύνολο ανθρώπων που ζουν μαζί σε μια περιοχή ↩︎
6. ενισχύω
   κάνω κάτι δυνατότερο ή πιο αποτελεσματικό ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Why did ELTA decide to close 46 branches in Greece?

Question 2: How did local communities react to the closure of ELTA branches?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
αποφασίζω	decide
εκσυγχρονίζω	modernise
προκαλώ	cause
ανησυχία  (f.)	concerns
κοινότητα  (f.)	communities
ενισχύω	enhance

Read the full story

The closure of 46 branches of the Hellenic Post (ELTA) across Greece stirred significant debate among local communities and officials. This decision is part of a larger restructuring plan aiming to modernise the postal service and address longstanding financial losses, which have posed a severe threat to its sustainability.

According to the ELTA, the restructuring measures are essential for transforming the organisation into a more efficient and modern service provider. The plan involves shifting resources to enhance distribution and customer service, emphasising the use of digital tools such as the ‘ELTA at home’ programme, which offers services at customers’ doorsteps. While these changes imply a reduction in traditional physical branch operations, they are designed to maintain service levels even in remote areas.

Despite the company’s strategic intentions, the announcement of branch closures has not gone without controversy. Thirty-three of the branches affected are located within the region of Attica, with additional closures in Thessaloniki, Patras, Rhodes, Ioannina, Ierapetra, and Chania. The decision has provoked reactions from various stakeholders, including local business representatives and political entities.

The Commercial Association of Athens has openly supported the modernisation of ELTA but has highlighted the necessity of basing the closure of branches on objective and local criteria. The association expressed concerns that the shutdown of essential branches could adversely impact local commerce and citizen services. They cited the branch on Metropoleos Street in Athens as a vital component of the commercial centre, fostering daily trade activities and public convenience.

In response to the public outcry, the ELTA announced a temporary suspension of further branch closures outside city centres for three months. During this period, the organisation aims to engage more intensively with local communities to elucidate the need for the restructuring and assess the potential introduction of agency services in some areas where feasible.

The topic is set to be discussed further in the Greek Parliament, reflecting its substantial social and economic implications. As the country navigates these changes, it becomes increasingly important to balance modernisation with the needs and expectations of the communities affected.

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