Greeks strike in protest of living cost crisis

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Thousands of Greeks took to the streets Wednesday in a 24-hour strike to protest the living cost crisis, which has hit salaried employees and pensioners particularly hard.

Private and public sector employees and pensioners emphasized that an increase in wages and pension remained inadequate to address declining purchasing power during the general strike that was called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and supported by trade unions and left-wing parties.

Demonstrators demanded that the government increase pensions, the minimum wage and effectively address the soaring cost of basic consumer goods and rising rents.

Public transportation in Athens as well as railway and ferry routes were particularly affected by the strike with most employees complying with the call to strike.​​​​​​​