[Greece] Thousands march in Athens to protest labour law changes

Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Athens on October 1 as part of a general strike to protest changes to the country's labour laws, The Globe and Mail reports.

No taxis or trains in Athens were running for the duration of the 24-hour strike, while buses and the capital city's subway, tram and trolley services operated on a reduced schedule. 

The strike reportedly disrupted services across the country, including in schools, courts, public hospitals and municipalities.

Unions representing civil servants and private sector workers called the strike to protest labour law changes that allow greater flexibility in labour conditions, including overtime that could extend occasional shifts to 13 hours. 

Under the new regulations, working hours that include overtime would be capped at 48 hours per week, with a maximum of 150 overtime hours allowed per year.

Unions argue that the new rules leave workers vulnerable to labour abuses by employers.

In a statement, the private sector umbrella union, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece, said, “We say no to the 13-hour (shift). Exhaustion is not development, human tolerance has limits.” 

The union reportedly called for a 37.5-hour working week and the return of collective bargaining agreements.

Source: The Globe and Mail

(Quote via original reporting)

Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Athens on October 1 as part of a general strike to protest changes to the country's labour laws, The Globe and Mail reports.

No taxis or trains in Athens were running for the duration of the 24-hour strike, while buses and the capital city's subway, tram and trolley services operated on a reduced schedule. 

The strike reportedly disrupted services across the country, including in schools, courts, public hospitals and municipalities.

Unions representing civil servants and private sector workers called the strike to protest labour law changes that allow greater flexibility in labour conditions, including overtime that could extend occasional shifts to 13 hours. 

Under the new regulations, working hours that include overtime would be capped at 48 hours per week, with a maximum of 150 overtime hours allowed per year.

Unions argue that the new rules leave workers vulnerable to labour abuses by employers.

In a statement, the private sector umbrella union, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece, said, “We say no to the 13-hour (shift). Exhaustion is not development, human tolerance has limits.” 

The union reportedly called for a 37.5-hour working week and the return of collective bargaining agreements.

Source: The Globe and Mail

(Quote via original reporting)