Greece faces a general strike on Wednesday as workers protest against rising living costs. Unions demanding “decent wages” as uneven recovery from the debt crisis has left many facing higher costs.
The Greek Public Sector Union (ADEDY), the General Confederation of Labour of Greece (GSEE) and the All Workers’ Militant Front (PAME) and other unions have called for the strike.
The main demands of the workers are a substantial wage increase in the face of rising living costs, measures for safety at work, strengthening public health care and solving the acute housing problem. Teachers, doctors at public hospitals, local government employees, construction workers, sailors and public transport workers are expected to take part in the general strike.
According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, bus and trolleybus workers will stop working from the beginning of the shift until 9.00 a.m. and from 9.00 p.m. until the end of the shift. At the same time there will be no metro trains running.
On the day of the strike, budgetary workers plan to march through the centre of Athens and other cities of the country. The start of the action in the capital is scheduled at Klatmonos Square.
Traffic is paralysed due to the strike
Ships will remain in the country’s ports on November 20 after the unanimous decision of the leadership of the Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PNO) to participate in the nationwide strike.
Railway workers have also decided to take part in a 24-hour strike following a decision by the Panhellenic Railway Federation (POS).
The Federation of Associations of Hospital Doctors’ Associations of Greece (OENGE) speaking about the reasons for the medics’ strike said that 49 per cent of patients cannot find a doctor and 24 per cent cannot take the necessary tests. OENGE said in a statement:
“Public health structures have shrunk by 40% since 2009 and their staff remains half as old and exhausted, while on the other hand, private health centres are staging a “mad” race for profit.”
