Athens, Greece – Trade unions in Greece have organized a 24-hour general strike in protest of a new labor bill currently under consideration in Parliament. Major unions, including PAME, ADEDY (Civil Servants’ Confederation), OLME (Federation of Secondary State School Teachers), PENEN (Maritime Workers’ Union), and the Federation of Public Hospital Employees, argue that the proposed legislation threatens workers’ rights and conditions.
The strike has garnered support from public sector employees, including transport workers, air traffic controllers, health professionals, and teachers. Demonstrations and rallies are scheduled in various cities, including Athens and Thessaloniki.
Athens and Thessaloniki are expected to experience travel disruptions during the strike. Athens Metro Lines 2 and 3 (red and blue lines) will operate only until 13:30 on Thursday, as announced by Urban Rail Transport (STASY). Trolleys will run from 09:00 to 21:00, trams until 13:30, and Athens Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) trains will cease operations at 21:00. Buses will run normally after a court ruled the drivers’ strike illegal.
The strike has also garnered support from ship workers, hospital staff, doctors, and school teachers.
The labor union ADEDY has organized a rally at Klafthmonos Square at 10:30 am. PAME, the labor union affiliated with the Communist Party, will hold another rally at Syntagma Square simultaneously.
The Greek government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aims to amend labor laws, introducing increased flexibility in working hours. The proposed changes include mandatory weekend work with a 40 percent wage supplement for the sixth working day. The bill also allows employers to request employees to work with just 24 hours’ notice.
Critics argue that the legislation undermines the traditional eight-hour workday and five-day workweek. The Merchant Marine Union voiced concerns about the bill, claiming it imposes a 13-hour workday and 78-hour workweek, abolishing breaks and weekends.
Additionally, the legislation introduces fines of up to $5,349 for trade union activities, which has raised concerns about the potential criminalization of strikes and protests.
The strike underscores the ongoing debate in Greece regarding labor rights and the balance between worker protections and economic reforms.
