"A general strike has paralysed Greece as unions step up industrial action in protest about labour laws introducing a 13-hour work day in a country that already puts in some of the longest hours in Europe. The 24-hour strike brought mass disruption to services across the country on Wednesday as thousands of workers in the public and private sector stopped work and took to the streets."
"The pro-business government of the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has faced growing opposition over the proposed changes, with workers contending they not only ride roughshod over their rights but kill off any hopes for work-life balance. The 13-hour day proposal is expected to be passed into law this month. The change would allow employees to clock in 13 hours, effectively extending their presence in the work place by up to five hours."
"While the Mediterranean country has recovered from a prolonged debt crisis in which the economy shrank by more than 25% and biting austerity imposed in return for international rescue funds salaries remain well behind other EU member states at a time when the cost of living has risen dramatically. At 880 (765) a month, the minimum wage though raised by Mitsotakis's centre-right administration"
A 24-hour nationwide general strike paralysed Greece as thousands of public and private sector workers stopped work and demonstrated. Transport in Athens and Thessaloniki was halted, hospital staff, teachers and civil servants walked out, and ferry crews kept vessels in port. Unions oppose a proposed law enabling a 13-hour workday that would extend employees' presence at work by up to five hours. The proposal is expected to pass this month. Workers cite already low wages and high living costs after a prolonged debt crisis and austerity measures, leaving pay behind other EU states.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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