Strikes in Greece likely to cause flight cancellations

Greece’s major trade unions have called for strikes in protest against a planned change in the labour law, which would likely cause nationwide restrictions in air and ferry traffic on Thursday.

In addition to air traffic controllers, ferry and public transport workers also plan to walk off the job, as well as public service employees, including teachers and hospital workers.

Greek media reported this on Wednesday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government plans to relax labour laws in various ways, including making working hours more flexible.

The plans include obliging people to work on a Saturday or Sunday and receive an additional 40 per cent of the daily wage for the sixth working day.

They also include the introduction of employment on demand, which would make it possible for an employer to call an employee 24 hours in advance and make them work.

The law would allow workers to take on a second job with another employer, for up to five hours a day, in addition to the eight regular working hours.

The unions criticise the law as watering down the eight-hour day and the five-day week.

“The new draft law imposes 13 hours of work per day and 78 hours of work per week.

“It abolishes breaks at work and weekends,” said the Merchant Marine Union.

The umbrella organisation of public sector unions ADEDY also fears a criminalisation of trade union activities because the new law imposed fines of up to 5,000 euros (5,349 dollars), knowing that the strikers could prevent other workers from going to work.

 

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