Thousands of workers in Greece participated in a 24-hour general strike organized by labor unions in protest of the rising cost of living. The strike, which coincided with the government’s submission of its 2025 budget to Parliament, caused disruptions to public transport and ferries connecting the Greek islands with the mainland. Protesters criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government for failing to address inflation and high housing prices, which have negatively impacted workers’ living standards.
Around 12,000 protesters marched in Athens, with another 5,000 in Thessaloniki, demanding collective labor agreements, better working conditions, measures to address the housing crisis, and an increase in income to cope with the high cost of living. Medical staff and teachers joined the strike to express their frustration over stagnant wages that have remained frozen since the country’s financial crisis in 2010, when harsh austerity measures were implemented.
The General Confederation of Workers of Greece highlighted the anger and resentment among salaried employees towards the government’s handling of the economy and called for an increase in income to combat the high cost of living. Despite Greece’s return to economic growth and investment-grade status, it still struggles with high debt levels compared to other European Union countries. The strike aimed to pressure the government to prioritize policies that will improve workers’ quality of life and address the ongoing economic challenges facing the nation.
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