Greek workers strike to protect strikes

Record ID: 1432609

  • Title: Greek workers strike to protect strikes
  • Date: 24th September 2019
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (SEPTEMBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WORKERS MARCHING IN DEMONSTRATION THROUGH STREETS OF ATHENS TO PARLIAMENT BUILDING VARIOUS OF CROWDS OF PROTESTING WORKERS GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) GEORGE STEFANAKIS, COOK, AGED 35, SAYING: "This is a terrible law, it is undemocratic, it gives everything to the employers - tax breaks, whatever wages they decide. They will be able to reduce wages whenever they want according to their plans and profits, leaving our livelihood and the workers needs aside." (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) KOSTAS THEODOROPOULOS, UNIVERSITY STUDENT, AGED 23, SAYING: "I believe these are laws that, just like the government of Syriza, sweep away the rights of students and workers, and satisfy the needs of the business sector." (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) VANGELIS KARATZAS, HOTEL WORKER, AGED 56, SAYING: "Just like the crisis with its (austerity) measures, now there are new growth measures, which cripple the workers." PIRAEUS, GREECE (SEPTEMBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MOORING LINE TIED TO DOCK FERRY ANCHORED AT PORT VARIOUS OF FERRIES ANCHORED AT PORT, MAN SITTING AT QUAY VARIOUS OF STRIKING SEAMEN STANDING IN FRONT OF ANCHORED FERRY AT PORT STRIKING SEAMEN SITTING ON PLATFORM, PROTEST SIGN ACROSS PLATFORM READING: (Greek) "HANDS OF STRIKES AND UNIONS" VARIOUS OF EMPTY PLATFORM OF ANCHORED FERRY AT DOCK WITH A STOP SIGN ACROSS THE ENTRANCE VARIOUS OF BUSES PARKED SIDE BY SIDE IN BUS STATION
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2019 11:01
  • Keywords: Greece crisis economy labour reforms Mitsotakis workers
  • Location: ATHENS AND PIRAEUS, GREECE
  • City: ATHENS AND PIRAEUS, GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Budget/Taxation/Revenue,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001AY0P35Z
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Greek workers staged their first walkout on Tuesday (September 24) since a new conservative government took office in July, to protest planned reforms to labour laws.
    The government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans changes which will affect the ability to strike, collective labour agreements, and labour unions.
    The strike was organized by the Greek Civil Servants Confederation (ADEDY), which represents about half a million workers in the public sector, and was joined by other labour unions. ADEDY says the changes would hamper the right to strike, diminish workers rights, and is an attempt to control unions.
    The government plan also introduces a fast-track licencing process for major investments - and disciplinary action for civil servants who delay the process.
    The strike affected Athens transport and ferry schedules.
    Mitsotakis came to power in July on pledges to speed up investments, create jobs and spur growth in a country reeling from a financial crisis.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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