site.btaPublic Sector Workers in Greece Hold Protest to Demand Higher Wages

Public sector workers in Greece protested in Syntagma Square, near the parliament building in Athens, as lawmakers debated the country’s budget for next year on Tuesday.

The strike was called by the Confederation of Greek Civil Servants' Trade Unions (ADEDY) and later backed by the Panhellenic Federation of Local Government Employees (POE-OTA).

Protesters objected to higher defence spending in the country.

"Increase wages, not bombs," read some of the banners held by striking public sector workers. 

Employees in state healthcare also joined the rally, protesting low pay. They noted that a resident doctor at a state hospital earns EUR 1,264, while a nurse earns EUR 836.

Police presence in the city centre was stepped up.

ERT said there was also a demonstration outside the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Security, organized by the Supreme General Confederation of Pensioners of Greece. Among the pensioners’ main demands were increases in basic and supplementary pensions to offset inflation.

Athens 9.84 FM Radio reported that education workers were also expected to join the strikes. There was no information yet on how much the strike would affect public transport, but buses in Athens will not run on December 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time due to a trade union's election and accountability general assembly.

The unions' demands include higher pay, mass hiring on permanent contracts, adequate funding for municipalities, and keeping social services as a public good.