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Greek General Strike Disrupts Transport and Commerce: International Edition

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Over 15,000 individuals marched through the streets of Greece on Wednesday during the country’s second nationwide 24-hour strike of the year, demanding increased salaries to keep pace with inflation.

Transport ground to a halt as air traffic controllers joined the action, while rail and public transport as well as island ferry services were hit.

Educational institutions, courthouses, financial institutions, and government buildings were likewise closed as part of the protests.

This move follows the implementation of extensive tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. These tariffs encompass a 20 percent charge on the European Union, with Greece being part of this union.

In Athens, authorities reported that over 10,000 individuals convened close to the parliament building as part of strike actions initiated by both public and private sector unions protesting against the policies of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative administration.

Protestors chanted “we want raises,” “injustice is crushing us,” and “down with New Democracy”—the political party led by Mitsotakis.

The public sector union ADEDY attributed the “exorbitantly high prices” to “the cartels operating unchecked within the energy sector as well as numerous goods and services.”

Rising housing expenses were attributed to “chaotic tourist expansion,” the statement continued, implicating the government.

’10 years of stagnation’

Approximately 5,000 individuals gathered for a demonstration in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-biggest city.

“The salaries we’re getting aren’t enough for us to have a decent life,” said shop worker Elenni Ioannidi, aged 27, to AFP.

How can we manage when almost half of our income goes towards paying rent?

I receive just enough for about 20 days each month with my pension,” stated Kostas Papaioannou, aged 69. “All we want is to cover the essential requirements of daily living.

ADEDY mentioned there was “a decade of stagnation,” with salary increases amounting to just four percent this year and one percent the previous year.

The private-sector union GSEE is calling for the restoration of collective bargaining agreements that were annulled during the economic challenges of the past ten years, as well as seeking “actual raises to address the soaring cost of living.”

Despite Greece experiencing robust economic growth of 2.2% in the previous year, wages stayed relatively low even as taxes increased along with an inflation rate of 3.5% mid-year.

Amid growing public outrage, the administration increased the minimum wage to 880 euros ($972) per month starting April 1st, representing a 6.4% increase from the previous level of 830 euros.

In February, massive demonstrations commemorating the second anniversary of Greece’s most severe railway accident escalated into violence when masked young people hurled petrol bombs and stones at law enforcement officers. In response, the police used tear gas and flashbangs to disperse the crowd.

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