May Day Protests in Athens Disrupt Transport and Services

Risida Dimitrova, BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov

Workers take to the streets to mark International Workers’ Day, Athens, May 1, 2026 (BTA Photo/Ivan Lazarov)

Athens,

01.05.2026 12:57

(BTA)

Workers took to the streets in the centre of Athens to mark International Workers’ Day, demanding fairer pay and better working conditions.
Several parallel marches took place in the capital, all converging on Syntagma Square in the city centre.

The protests were organized by the two main labour unions GSEE, which represents private-sector workers, and ADEDY, which unites public-sector employees. The protests were also joined by the Athens Labour Unions Organization (EKA) as well as PAME, a trade union federation with more radical positions linked to the country’s communist movement, local media reported.

During the demonstrations, protesters chanted demands for higher wages, respect for labour rights, and improvements to the country’s social policies.

Trade unions held up banners demanding the reinstatement of bonus salaries, wage increases through collective agreements, tax relief measures and the lifting of pay freezes imposed during the decade-long financial crisis.

The demonstrations disrupted public transportation in the city. The Athens metro lines and tram lines are not operating all day. Rail transport and commuter trains are also limited. Buses and trolleybuses are running on a reduced schedule, and ferry services have been suspended nationwide due to the participation of maritime workers in the strike, according to eKathimerini.

/RD/