Greece labour legislation protests convey public transport to a halt | Labour Rights Information

Unions are protesting towards authorities plans to permit prolonged working hours, together with shifts of as much as 13 hours.

A nationwide strike in Greece over authorities plans to amend labour legal guidelines to permit prolonged working hours has paralysed public transport and disrupted different public providers.

Taxis and trains in Athens will probably be unavailable through the 24-hour strike on Wednesday, whereas buses, in addition to town’s subway, tram and trolley providers, cut back operations. Ferries had been tied up in port.

The strike, referred to as by unions representing civil servants and personal sector staff, is about to interrupt quite a few public providers, together with in colleges, courts, public hospitals and municipalities. Protest marches are deliberate in central Athens and all through the nation round noon (09:00 GMT).

The unions referred to as for the motion to protest deliberate labour legislation modifications that may introduce extra flexibility, together with permitting time beyond regulation that would stretch shifts to 13 hours a day. Beneath the brand new rules, working hours that embody time beyond regulation could be capped at 48 hours per week, with a most of 150 time beyond regulation hours allowed per yr.

Unions argue the brand new guidelines would depart staff susceptible to labour abuses by employers. “We are saying no to the 13-hour [shift]. Exhaustion isn’t improvement, human tolerance has limits,” the personal sector umbrella union, Normal Confederation of Greek Staff (GSEE), stated in a press release.

The reform, GSEE stated, “endangers the well being and security of staff and destroys the stability between skilled and private life”. It referred to as for a 37-and-a-half-hour working week and the return of collective bargaining agreements.

Greece’s conservative authorities, nevertheless, argues that the proposed modifications would profit staff who desire a extra versatile labour market, together with the choice to work extra. It careworn the reform would apply just for as much as 37 days a yr and supply staff the prospect to get 40 p.c time beyond regulation funds

“We assure a freedom of alternative for each the employer and the worker. Why would that be delinquent?” stated Greece’s conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis earlier this month.

Regardless of falling unemployment and sustained development, which based on the European Fee clocked 2.3 p.c final yr, low wages stay one of many predominant considerations for Greeks, together with the excessive value of dwelling.

The minimal wage, though raised, stands at 880 euros ($1,031) per thirty days.