Greece's bustling port of Piraeus came to a standstill on Tuesday as thousands of maritime workers launched a coordinated 24-hour strike, anchoring ferries and cargo ships in protest against stagnating wages and precarious labor conditions. Unions representing dockworkers, shipwrights, and metalworkers led the action, decrying what they call 'a decade of frozen pay' amid skyrocketing inflation and surging tourism revenues.
Protesters flooded the port’s passenger terminal, holding banners demanding renewed collective bargaining agreements to replace private contracts they claim leave workers vulnerable to abrupt job losses. 'Our salaries haven’t budged since 2012, but ferry prices jumped 50% this year alone,' said Nikos, a maintenance worker. 'With inflation at 15%, how do we survive?'
The strike follows contentious government revisions to Greece’s 63-year-old maritime labor code, which officials argue will boost competitiveness. Unions counter that the changes risk eroding job security and suppressing wages further. Last year’s three-percent pay increase deal now feels 'meaningless,' protesters say, as energy costs strain household budgets across the country.
As Greece welcomes record tourist numbers – a sector contributing 20% to its GDP – workers warn of escalating strike actions unless demands for wage protections are met. With Piraeus handling over 5.6 million passengers annually, prolonged disruptions could ripple through Mediterranean trade and travel networks.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
