Boats and ferries remained docked at Greece’s Piraeus port on Tuesday as unions staged a 24-hour strike, bringing operations at the country’s largest port to a standstill. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the center of Piraeus to voice their concerns over job insecurity and rising living costs, citing inadequate measures to protect workers against inflation.
“I work in the docks and came here today to show my opposition to what I believe is against us, the workers,” said port worker Losif. “I want a collective labor agreement instead of private contracts that could eliminate me at any time. This also means that my salary could be cut at any time, which is very worrying—especially now, with high inflation.”
Unions Demand Action
Marching through the port’s passenger terminal, unions called on the government to provide a safety net for workers amid proposed plans to abolish collective labor agreements in the sector. The Ministry of Shipping revised the Code of Private Maritime Law last year after 63 years, aiming to improve competitiveness and increase employment for Greek seafarers. However, unions argue that these changes could lead to fewer jobs and lower salaries.
Economic Pressures Mount
The unions highlight that despite Greece experiencing record numbers of tourists this year—with boat fares up 50 percent since last year—salaries have not increased in the past decade.
“For those of us who repair these ferries, there hasn’t been any salary increase since 2012,” said ferry worker Nikos. “To this day, I haven’t received a single euro extra. But the real problem is that I have seen a decrease in my salary during the financial crisis—and now that everything is going up, my salary stays the same. How can I live?”
Impact on Global Trade
The Piraeus port serves as a crucial hub in international maritime trade, linking Europe with Asia and other parts of the world. The strike’s disruption could have ripple effects on global supply chains, potentially affecting shipments and trade routes connected to the port.
Future Actions
This is the second protest in less than a year by dockworkers over working conditions and high costs. In January, unions secured a new collective labor agreement with a wage increase of three percent. With energy costs and inflation continuing to rise, unions warn that more and longer strikes may occur if a new agreement is not reached.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
