Due to the extreme temperatures caused by the ongoing heatwave in Greece, the union representing Acropolis staff has announced a strike starting from Thursday. The employees at the renowned Greek tourist attraction object to being compelled to work under soaring temperatures, reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius.
In a bid to advocate for the well-being of both the security staff and visitors, the striking employees will abstain from work for five hours each day, commencing at 12 pm. The Acropolis had to close its doors for three days last week due to the scorching heat but has since reopened on Monday. The Culture Ministry announced that the site will now operate on reduced hours, closing from 12 noon until 5 in the afternoon.
“Given the problems we have faced … in recent days, measures have been unanimously decided,” read a statement from the PEYFA union, which represents the Employees at The Acropolis of Athens.
Despite the measures taken to protect tourists, the heat exposure has already caused incidents, with a tourist collapsing at the Acropolis and needing hospital treatment. The Hellenic Red Cross has erected large shade tents to protect the crowds and is distributing free bottles of water.
Additionally, wildfires have added to the challenges posed by the heatwave. Hundreds of firefighters are battling flames in the Dervenochoria region west of Athens, where the dense forest vegetation and the inaccessible nature of the area make firefighting particularly difficult.
The Health Ministry has issued warnings about the health risks associated with the extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, infants, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people who are overweight or obese, and those who work or exercise intensively in hot environments.
Greece has activated its state mechanism to cope with the heatwave, known as Kleon, which is expected to bring temperatures up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country. Meteorologists anticipate that the most difficult days will be Friday and Saturday, with high temperatures continuing into the following week.
