Thousands of Greeks strike over longer work day fears, causing traffic chaos
Thousands of striking workers gathered outside Greece's parliament on Thursday over a controversial labor bill that has been causing months of protest.
The demonstrations, headed by Greece's largest public and private trade unions, were part of a 24 hour strike against the legislation, which is currently being debated in parliament and expected to pass next week.
Police said more than 18,000 people participated in the protests.
"We are here for our lives, for the future of our country, for our children, we are here so that workers do not become slaves who work for 12 hours and only get paid for four," said protesting union representative George Christopoulos.
The government said the new measures would modernize antiquated laws dating back decades to a pre-internet time when most workers clocked into their offices and factories at the same set hours. A "digital work card" to monitor employees working hours in real time will be introduced.
The changes would offer workers more flexibility to decide their own schedules, give them the right to disconnect outside office hours, and help tackle unpaid overtime and undeclared work which have fueled a large, untaxed grey economy.
The most contentious part of the bill allows employees to work up to 10 hours on one day and less time on another. Unions say the government was seeking to scrap the hard fought eight-hour, five-day, working week and collective bargaining agreements, which will enable employers to force workers to accept longer hours, and shirk on paying overtime.The legislation will also limit participation in strikes.
Ferry routes were cancelled at the port of Piraeus, flights at Athens airport had to be rescheduled, and public transportation was disrupted due to the strike, causing long traffic pileups on the streets throughout the capital.
More protests are expected next week ahead of the parliament vote.
(Source: Reuters)
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