ATHENS: Greece’s radical left government is accusing a Canadian-run mining firm of holding the 2,000 workers in its northern Greek mines ‘hostage’ in a dispute over alleged violations of concession terms.

Vancouver-based Eldorado Gold’s Greek subsidiary, Hellas Gold, has said it will suspend most of its employees in Greece for up to three months, after the government halted work at a mine in Halkidiki. It added that it will have to sack workers if the permits are not reinstated.

The environment ministry said on Friday that the company has an obligation to continue operations not affected by the alleged violations, and not hold workers ‘hostage’.

The project has met with fierce resistance due to environmental concerns. But it is also a test case of crisis-afflicted Greece’s ability to attract major foreign investment.