The 250-plus migrants on hunger strike in central Athens on Friday apparently rejected the government's offer of a six-month 'toleration status' allowed under EU migration laws, saying it did not meet their demand for full legalisation.
An earlier meeting between representatives of migrants and government ministers had ended without any agreement and was followed by a meeting to discuss the government's proposals.
After Interior Minister Yiannis Ragoussis and Health Minister Andreas Loverdos left the building, the migrants -- who entered Greece illegally -- held a meeting to decide whether they should accept or reject the government's proposal to allow them a six-month "grace period" before they are asked to leave the country.
They also rejected Loverdos' offer to transfer all those on hunger strike to hospital in view of a sharp deterioration in the weather expected over the next few days, saying they would be transferred to hospitals at the recommendation of the doctors currently attending to them.
The six-month "window" is foreseen under the law for those applying for political asylum and can be extended to illegal immigrants when there special circumstances, such as the serious health problems now faced by the group on hunger strike. This essentially delays deportation for a period of six months and the delay can also be extended for a "reasonable" space of time by the Citizens' Protection Minister.
