24-hour Strike By Greek Civil Servants Disrupts Public Transport
A 24-hour strike by Greek civil servantsdisrupts public transport. On Thursday, a significant number of Greek public sector employees, including various professionals such as educators, medical practitioners, and transportation personnel, participated in a demonstration in Athens.
The purpose of this strike was to express opposition to the proposed modifications to labor legislation by the recently re-elected conservative administration, which assumed office in June. The administration led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis asserts that the proposed reform aims to eradicate unreported employment and enhance overall employment rates.
However, labor unions and the opposition contend that it constitutes an attack on employees' rights and would result in the establishment of harsh working conditions.
The inaugural statewide strike organized by ADEDY, Greece's largest public-sector union, is the initial instance of industrial action subsequent to the re-election of the Mitsotakis government for a second term.
The Effect Of The Strike
A decrease in service frequency was seen for trains and buses, while public hospitals functioned with a limited number of staff members, and a significant number of schools were temporarily shut down.
Subway service in Athens was scheduled to be suspended for the length of the strike, while tram and trolley service in the capital city was scheduled to operate just for a portion of the day.
Despite the fact that air traffic controllers were not allowed to take part, flights continued as usual. Hundreds of striking employees marched in two separate marches across downtown Athens. The protests produced road closures and public transportation disruptions, which caused gridlock in the nation's capital.
The demonstrators proceeded towards the legislative body, where legislators were engaged in deliberations over the proposed modifications, anticipated to be ratified within the current week. The administration led by Mr. Mitotakis now holds a majority of 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament.
On their website which represents about half a million workers, it said in a statement:
“„We demand the bill's withdrawal.- ADEDY
The proposed legislation would provide full-time employees the opportunity to engage in secondary part-time employment, with the provision to work a maximum of 13 hours per day, unless specific conditions, such as conflicts of interest, are present. Additionally, it provides employers with the ability to enforce a six-day work schedule.
President of the union representing agriculture ministry employees said:
“„It leaves open the door for us to work as many as 13 hours (a day), and until we are 74. It also puts an end to demands by workers of wage increases - increases that they deserve.- Lambrini Christoyanni
As per the provisions outlined in the law, it is permissible for an employer to terminate an employee's contract within the initial year of employment without prior notice or compensation, unless otherwise stipulated in a mutually agreed upon agreement.
The policy permits a probationary period for a maximum duration of six months, while simultaneously imposing a need on businesses to furnish comprehensive conditions of employment.
Employers may incur a penalty of up to 10,500 euros (US$11,175) in the event that they neglect to report an employee's extension of working hours or alteration of shifts. The legislation further incorporates penalties, including fines and a prison sentence of six months, for anyone who impedes the activities of employees during a labor strike.
Final Words
Lawmakers affiliated with the primary opposition party, Syriza, which is anticipated to select a new leader on Sunday, asserted earlier this week that the government was clandestinely pursuing an agenda that is detrimental to the interests of workers. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has characterized the law as horrible.
