Greek labor unions organized a 24-hour strike today (Thursday), halting public services and transportation in response to protests against a proposed labor law aimed at increasing flexibility in the job market, according to the French Press Agency (AFP).
Employees of the civil service, hospitals, schools, and port workers joined the strike. Additionally, the Athens metro came to a standstill, and bus schedules were reduced.
The proposed law, expected to be approved by parliament later today, permits private sector workers to work for different employers on a daily basis. If approved, the law would also enable companies to require employees to work six days a week in emergency situations.
Opposition parties and labor unions have accused the conservative government of empowering employers in a labor market with weak oversight, where many workers fear losing their jobs.
The Ministry of Labor contends that the new legislation aims to “improve employment and increase the number of sustainable and fairly compensated jobs.”
The proposed law also prohibits strikers from preventing other employees from working during their strike and prevents layoffs based on discriminatory grounds.
On Wednesday, red-painted slogans describing Labor Minister Adonis Georgiadis as “trash” appeared on the walls of a building housing his office in Athens.
In July, the Greek government enacted a law allowing individuals to continue working until the age of 74, seven years beyond the official retirement age.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged to reduce the country’s unemployment rate to 8% by 2027, down from the current 10.8%.
The strike in Greece reflects the ongoing debate and protests surrounding labor reforms and workers’ rights in the country. The proposed labor law has faced significant opposition from labor unions and political parties, who argue that it will negatively impact job security and employee rights.
Greece, like many other European countries, has been grappling with labor market reforms and economic challenges in recent years. The government’s commitment to reducing unemployment is part of broader efforts to strengthen the Greek economy and improve the overall employment situation in the country.
