Thousands of workers protest in Greece over 13-hour work day plans • FRANCE 24 English

Usually bustling with activity, Greece’s largest harbor was brought to a standstill on Wednesday amid nationwide strike action. It’s a total strike. Not one ship has left the ports. It wasn’t just marine traffic. Public transport, schools, courts, and hospitals were also affected by the walkout. At the heart of public anger is a government plan to introduce a 13-hour workday. On the streets of Athens, protesters said the move would undermine workers rights, particularly those with low wages. In the past, you could own a home and everything else, but now, due to special circumstances, we’re told it’s freedom to be able to work a 13-hour day just to make a living. Currently, workers in Greece can work 13 hours a day, but for two different employers. The new bill, which hasn’t yet been submitted to Parliament, would allow staff to work those 13 hours for one employer for extra pay. Unions argue the measure could lead to more workplace accidents. While there’s also concern about the social impact. If parents are working 13 hours a day, we can imagine the psychological and emotional toll it will take when children won’t see their parents and when their parents are utterly exhausted. The government says the reform would only apply for up to 37 days per year with employees consent and offers workers the chance to receive a 40% overtime payment.

Thousands of Greek workers prompted large-scale disruption during a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, protesting against the conservative government’s plans to introduce a 13-hour work day. The strike has disrupted transport in the capital Athens and the second-largest city Thessaloniki, trains and ferry services, while teachers, hospital staff and civil servants are also taking part.
#Greece #Strike #Athens

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5 comments

  1. Will the weekly working hours stay the same and will you get an increase in salary when you work longer than 8 hours a day or are they trying to increase the weekly working hours?

  2. ??? How about increasing the hourly pay for them, so they don't have to work two jobs??? How is it, Greece continues to struggle with leadership…..send all the boats coming your way back, invest those funds in the Greek economy, you have so much to offer the world, build your country back up……..I'm NY Toms very British/Brazilian future wife MD

  3. That’s whatcha call bad government. If you can’t figure out how to employ your citizenry at the settled standard, and still have a good economy, you’re bad at government. This is all due to giving all tax money to billionaires and millionaires.

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