Displaying items by tag: general strike

On 20 November a nationwide general strike disrupted Greece as workers demanded better pay and improved living standards. Doctors, teachers, transport workers, and trade union members were among those who joined the protest. In Athens, demonstrators chanted for workers' rights and decried the high cost of living, with inflation in energy, food, and housing outpacing salary increases. The strike reflects frustration over the lingering effects of Greece’s 2009–2018 debt crisis, which required severe wage and pension cuts in exchange for €280 billion in bailouts. Though the economy has rebounded, wages remain low compared to the EU average, and many workers report a 50% reduction in purchasing power. The government has raised the minimum wage four times, now at €830, with a target of €950 by 2027, but protesters argue these measures fall short. The strike coincides with the submission of Greece's 2025 budget, which includes plans for modest economic growth and increased spending on wages and pensions.