Greek Strikes for Higher Wage Disrupt Shipping and Port Operations

Thousands of Greeks gathered in Athens on Wednesday to demand higher wages amidst rising living costs. A one-day strike resulted in ferries docked at ports, flights grounded, and trains at a standstill. Air traffic controllers, seafarers, train workers, municipal workers, bus and metro workers in the capital also participated in the strike. Greece has recovered from a debt crisis that lasted from 2009 to 2018, resulting in cuts in wages and pensions in exchange for bailouts totaling around 290 billion euros. Economic growth is currently at 2.3% this year, surpassing other eurozone economies.

The conservative government has raised the monthly minimum wage by 35% to 880 euros since 2019. However, many households still struggle to cover basic needs such as housing, food, education, and health due to fast-rising costs. The General Confederation of Greek Workers, representing over 2 million private sector employees, reported that Greek workers are purchasing 10% fewer goods compared to 2019 due to inflation and are calling for significant pay raises and collective labor contracts. Greece’s minimum salary in terms of purchasing power was among the lowest in the EU in January, behind Portugal and Lithuania.

Despite exceeding its primary surplus targets, the government remains cautious about increasing wages to limit interest on its debt, which is the highest in the eurozone. The government plans to raise the minimum wage to 950 euros by 2027 and aims for an average gross monthly salary of 1,500 euros, closer to the EU average. However, monthly expenses for food, utilities, and housing continue to rise, creating a growing gap for workers. Public sector workers, affected by measures to reduce state spending, have also joined the strike to demand the reinstatement of annual bonuses that were eliminated over the past decade. Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis acknowledged workers’ concerns but emphasized that reducing taxation remains a top priority for the government.

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