The economy Greece in strike mode for 24 hours
Nothing has worked since midnight: many people in Greece have been on strike for 24 hours. They are responding to a call from the umbrella organizations of the Greek trade unions.
20.11.2024, 07:28
SDA
They are criticizing the government's economic policy and demanding better action against inflation, stagnating wages and salaries as well as improved social benefits. Demonstrations are planned for midday in all the country's major cities.
For citizens, this means that the metro, buses and trains will be on strike during rush hour - but will then resume work to take people to the demonstrations. Schools and daycare centers will remain completely closed, as will public offices and authorities. There will be an emergency service in state hospitals. However, public life has not come to a complete standstill: supermarkets, kiosks and taverns are open and most self-employed people, including cab drivers, are working as normal.
The trade unions are demanding higher wages and salaries in view of the massive inflation of recent years. The representatives of the public sector, for example, are demanding an immediate pay rise of 10 percent and the reintroduction of 13th and 14th monthly salaries. The employers' unions are calling for "substantial measures to enable workers to live a decent life". Food prices and rents have exploded, while wages and salaries have stagnated, criticizes the umbrella organization GSEE.
