Greece: Public workers strike over proposed labor law

A 24-hour public sector strike in Greece is disrupting transportation and other services

Greece Strike (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A 24-hour strike in Greece disrupted transportation and other services as public sector workers walked off the job to protest a new labor law that lawmakers plan to vote on Wednesday.

The strike affected all modes of public transportation, including ferries to and from the Greek islands. Organizers exempted teachers involved in university entrance exams so as not to disrupt the process for students.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Athens on Wednesday morning. More protests were scheduled for the afternoon.

Unions and the main opposition left-wing Syriza party say the new law would erode longstanding worker rights and legal protections, make it more difficult for strikes to be called, and threaten Greece's eight-hour work day and maintaining Sundays as a non-work day.

The center-right government says the legislation would modernize antiquated labor laws that in some cases were written more than a century ago. It argues the law would allow for more flexibility in the working week, expand paternity rights, make it easier for employees to report workplace harassment and provide greater safeguards and rights for many workers.

The government also says the new regulations on strikes will prevent single unions from severely disrupting essential services such as garbage collection and public transportation.