General Strike Paralyzes Services in Greece
A nationwide strike in Greece brought ferries to a standstill in the port and disrupted public transport across the capital on Wednesday, as public and private sector workers protested changes to labor laws in the country.
Thousands of demonstrators organized marches through the streets of Athens today.
Many protesters also raised Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” to express their opposition to the war in Gaza.
No taxis or trains operated in Athens during the 24-hour strike, while buses, metro, and tram services in the city ran on a reduced schedule.
The strike disrupted services nationwide, affecting schools, courts, public hospitals, and municipalities.
Unions representing civil service employees and private sector workers called for the strike in protest of amendments to labor laws that would allow for greater flexibility, including permitting overtime that could extend to 13 hours a day.
Under the new regulations, the maximum work hours, including overtime, will be set at 48 hours per week, with a maximum of 150 hours of overtime allowed per year.
Labor unions say the new rules make workers vulnerable to violations of labor laws by employers.
The General Confederation of Greek Workers, a comprehensive union for the private sector, stated: “We reject the 13-hour work system. Exhaustion is not development. Human tolerance has its limits.”
The union also called for a 37.5-hour workweek and the return to collective bargaining agreements.
