General strike over cost of living paralyzes Athens

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – A general strike by thousands of Greek private and public sector employees complaining of the cost of living brought Athens to a standstill on Wednesday.

The strike, organized by two of Greece’s largest trade unions, the General Confederation of Greek Workers and the Civil Servants' Confederation, also got backing from leftist opposition parties, including Syriza, Pasok, New Left, and MeRa25.

Several other unions from diverse sectors also took part, such as the Panhellenic Maritime Federation, Panhellenic Federation of Food and Tourism Workers, Federation of National Health Service Employees, and Workers’ Militant Front.

More than 10,000 workers marched through the capital, highlighting the rising cost of living and housing crisis. They demanded higher wages, increased funding for education and the national health care system, and an end to the privatization of public enterprises and institutions.

The strike brought significant disruptions across the city, affecting various sectors. Workers from public hospitals, schools, public transportation systems, ferries, as well as employees in restaurants and cafes, walked off their jobs, halting many daily operations.