Thousands of Greek workers paralyzed transportation networks and shipping operations Wednesday in a nationwide general strike, as demonstrators flooded Athens streets demanding improved wages and living standards amid persistent economic challenges.
The walkout, supported by major private and public sector unions, brought together a broad coalition of doctors, teachers, construction workers, and transport employees. Protesters gathered in central Athens’ Syntagma Square, chanting “Workers’ rights are the law” and denouncing escalating prices that have strained household budgets.
“Each time we go to the supermarket and each time electricity bills land, we suffer small heart attacks,” said Stratis Dounias, a court employee participating in the march. “We want real measures against the high prices.”
The strike reflects ongoing economic pressures in Greece, where despite recent recovery, salaries remain below European averages and GDP per capita ranks among the European Union’s lowest. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of its 2009-18 debt crisis, when Greeks endured severe wage and pension cuts in exchange for €280 billion ($297 billion) in international bailouts.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government has implemented four minimum wage increases since 2019, bringing the monthly gross wage to €830, with promises to reach €950 by 2027. However, protesters argue these increases fail to match rising energy, food, and housing costs.
“Today we are demanding that the government gives us back what they and the previous governments took from us in the last decade. Our buying power has been reduced by 50%, inflation affects everything,” said pensioner Giorgos Skiadiotis.
GSEE, Greece’s largest private sector union representing 2.5 million workers, has accused “oligopolies” of coordinated practices that drive up basic goods prices.
The government’s 2025 budget, recently submitted to parliament, projects economic growth of 2.3% next year, exceeding the EU average, and allocates an additional €1.1 billion for wage and pension increases. Mitsotakis acknowledged Monday that improvements in wages and living standards remain necessary, while calling for EU assistance in addressing power price disparities within the bloc.
A Reuters story
