GREECE: Government contract workers protest outside Supreme Court in Athens

Record ID: 339237

  • Title: GREECE: Government contract workers protest outside Supreme Court in Athens
  • Date: 24th September 2010
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (SEPTEMBER 23, 2010) (REUTERS) THOUSANDS OF WORKERS STANDING IN FRONT OF SUPREME COURT SHOUTING AND HOLDING BANNERS VARIOUS OF WORKERS WITH BANNERS WORKERS CLOSE ROAD IN FRONT OF SUPREME COURT VARIOUS OF WORKERS ON ROAD, CLOSING IT WORKERS SHOUTING INTO MEGAPHONE WORKERS CLAPPING AND SHOUTING (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) DANIA PAPACHRISTOU, CONTRACT WORKER, S
  • Embargoed: 9th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1UPA9RMT6KSMWBDNNANQ202O2
  • Story Text: 2,000 contract workers block the road outside Greece's highest court as they protest government plans not to renew their contracts as part of its austerity measures.
    Workers from several unions encircled Athens Supreme Court on Thrusday (September 23), closing off the main street in front of the courthouse and disrupting traffic.
    The court is hearing an appeal on whether fixed term contract workers who have been working on a regular basis should be recognized as permanent staff.
    The protesters, including firemen, ministry and municipal employees, archaeologists, and rubbish collectors who are on a 24 hour strike, want their contracts renewed or recognized as permanent contracts.
    There are contract workers in all sectors of the public service, and workers have their contracts renewed year after year.
    "We have been working for three, four, five years, without insurance, with a wage of 500 euros, and a regular civil servant's work shift of seven to three each day, but they don't recognize this," said worker Dania Papachristou.
    "People who have been working since 1998, women who are now 50, are being told that they are being considered contract workers after serving for so long," said contract worker Thanos Iliopoulos.
    Under the government's economic reform program to reduce the country's debt, the government is freezing hiring and cleaning up the bloated public sector, resulting in thousands not having their contracts renewed.
    Protests have been taking place for months since the government introduced an economic austerity program that will cut wages, jobs and pension benefits.
    The government has received a billion euro rescue package from the European Union and IMF to avoid bankruptcy, which under its terms the government must cut spending.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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