Today, in Greece, workers from various sectors, including transport, healthcare, education, and construction, went on strike to demand higher pay and protest against reduced living standards. During the 2009-2018 debt crisis, many Greeks experienced cuts to their wages and pensions in exchange for bailout funds. Despite the country’s economic recovery since 2018, workers feel that the recent minimum wage increases are insufficient, especially as prices for essential goods like energy, food, and housing continue to rise.
The largest private sector union in Greece, GSEE, which represents 2.5 million workers, called for immediate and substantial pay raises to address the cost-of-living crisis. They also criticized oligopolies for driving up the prices of basic goods. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has acknowledged the need to improve wages and GDP per capita and has asked the EU to assist with high power prices compared to other European countries.
The strike coincides with the government presenting its final 2025 budget to parliament, which predicts economic growth of 2.3% next year and increased tax revenues from digital payments and property sales. Workers are planning to protest in Athens, highlighting their struggles to make ends meet despite the government’s efforts to improve the economy. While the government has made some progress in raising the minimum wage, many workers feel that more needs to be done to ensure they can afford their basic needs in the face of rising costs.
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