General strike in Athens concludes with mass rally and march to Parliament

Demands and mobilisation

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), which held a gathering in Klathmonos Square, described the event as “massive and competitive,” drawing participation from workers, pensioners, women, and youth. With the central slogan “We want increases to live—Collective Agreements to protect ourselves—work and life with rights,” demonstrators called for immediate measures to address the rising cost of living and restore labour protections.

In its statement, the GSEE highlighted key grievances, including inflation, social poverty, housing insecurity, erosion of labour rights, and precarious working conditions. Following the march, a GSEE delegation submitted a resolution of protest to the Parliament president and party representatives.

Voices from the demonstration

Yiannis Panagopoulos, president of GSEE, underlined the struggles of private-sector workers during Greece’s financial crisis and their ongoing challenges amid soaring inflation and stagnant wages.

“Our salaries are in the depths, and finding housing is an unattainable dream. The government seems deaf to society’s voice. Through our General Strike, we demand real raises and the reinstatement of Collective Agreements so we can negotiate on equal terms with employers. Enough tolerance for employer arbitrariness,” said Panagopoulos.

Political participation

The demonstration also attracted political figures. Nikos Androulakis, president of PASOK-KINAL, criticised New Democracy’s economic policies, citing rising rents, escalating food prices, and private healthcare costs.

“New Democracy’s policies have skyrocketed the cost of living. Business profits rank third highest in the EU, while wages as a percentage of GDP are the second lowest. This policy must end,” said Androulakis, adding that his party plans to initiate dialogue on a “new social contract” next week.

Dimitris Koutsoubas, general secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), addressed the crowd at a separate PAME gathering at Propylaia. He called for increased funding for salaries, education, and healthcare instead of military expenditures.

“This struggle needs continuity, mass participation, and an anti-capitalist direction, uniting private and public sector employees with the middle classes, youth, and pensioners,” Koutsoubas emphasised.

Zoe Konstantopoulou, president of Course for Freedom, joined the march alongside seasonal firefighters, showing solidarity with their demands.

Trade union presence

Several prominent trade unionists, including Nikos Mavrokephalos from the Athens Labour Centre, Spyros Marinis, president of the Teachers’ Federation of Greece, and Giorgos Ferentinos, president of the Evangelismos Workers Union, also addressed participants during the rally, voicing shared concerns about labour rights and living conditions.

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