Workers in Greece initiate general strike over low wages, causing transport disruptions

Transport workers, doctors, teachers, and construction workers in Greece went on strike to demand higher pay and protest squeezed living standards. Many Greeks had their wages and pensions cut during the 2009-2018 debt crisis. Despite the Greek economy recovering, workers say the recent wage increases are not enough to keep up with rising costs of living. The largest private sector union in Greece, GSEE, called for immediate and substantial pay rises to help workers struggling with increasing prices and rents. They also called for government action against oligopolies that drive up the cost of basic goods. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has raised the minimum monthly wage multiple times since taking office in 2019 and plans to raise it further by 2027. However, workers feel that their salaries still fall behind the European average and are insufficient to cover basic expenses. Mitsotakis acknowledged that there is room for improvement in wages and GDP per capita and called on the EU to address discrepancies in power prices that see Greeks paying more than other countries in the bloc. The strike occurred as the government submitted its final 2025 budget to parliament, projecting economic growth of 2.3% and higher tax revenues from expanding digital payments and property sales. Workers were expected to protest in central Athens, highlighting the ongoing struggle for fair wages and living conditions in Greece.

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