Greece paralyzed by nationwide strike over controversial labor reforms

Greece was brought to a standstill on Tuesday by a nationwide strike against planned labor market reforms. Ships remained in port, trains stood still, and many public services came to a halt.

The unions organized the protest to show their opposition to the bill, which would allow employers to extend working hours, make short-term employment more flexible, and change vacation rules in the private sector.

According to the government, the reform is intended to create a more efficient and flexible labor market and protect workers from being fired if they refuse to work overtime. The unions, on the other hand, argue that the law weakens workers' rights, abolishes the eight-hour working day, and deprives workers of their bargaining power—in a country where wages remain low despite increases and falling unemployment after the debt crisis from 2009 to 2018.

Doctors, journalists, and public sector employees took part in the protests. The unions called on the government to increase wages and strengthen the public sector instead of extending working hours. According to Eurostat, the purchasing power of Greeks is among the lowest in the European Union.

(reuters, lud)