Nationwide strike over inflation disrupts transport across Greece

Floor transport, flights and ferry companies are disrupted in Greece after a 24-hour nationwide strike begins over greater wages.

A person sits subsequent to a moored passenger ferry as a girl walks previous throughout a strike on the Port of Piraeus [Stelios Misinas/Reuters]

Greek employees have begun a 24-hour nationwide strike demanding greater wages to match surging inflation, disrupting floor transport, flights and ferry companies.

Excessive power costs and hovering dwelling prices have triggered strikes and protests throughout Europe this month, together with in Germany, France and Spain.

The nationwide walkout in Greece – the second this yr referred to as by non-public and public sector unions representing greater than 2.5 million employees – was anticipated to culminate in rallies outdoors parliament on Wednesday night.

Ferries have been docked at ports and work stoppages by bus, practice and metro employees have been anticipated to trigger journey chaos within the capital.

Some flights have been grounded as air site visitors controllers deliberate to affix the walkout from 08:00 to 14:00 GMT.

Inflation peaks at 12 %

Whereas the Greek financial system is rising at practically twice the eurozone price this yr because of a rebound in tourism, inflation is close to a 30-year peak at 12 %, among the many highest within the 19 nations sharing the euro.

“Employees … are battling in opposition to the inflation suffocating Greek households, the jungle-like circumstances within the labour market, in opposition to the burdens they've been carrying on their backs for years,” mentioned the Common Confederation of Greek Employees (GSEE), the principle non-public sector union.

The GSEE mentioned it was “crucial” for the federal government to take measures to deal with inflation because the excessive prices of power and primary items have been consuming into individuals’s disposable earnings.

Along with the general public sector Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY), it's demanding a rise within the minimal wage, which at present stands at about 713 euros ($717) monthly, and the restoration of collective labour regulation.

The conservative authorities has spent greater than 9 billion euros ($9bn) since September 2021 on energy subsidies and different measures to alleviate the burden of rising power and gas prices for farmers, households and companies.

It has promised to extend pensions subsequent yr for the primary time for the reason that nation’s monetary disaster and increase the minimal wage additional.