Workers caught in vice | “Families can no longer live from their wages”

(Athens) After having come close to bankruptcy in 2010, Greece has experienced one of the strongest economic growth in the European Union in recent years. Meanwhile, But for many, this rise is synonymous with impoverishment and major decline in workers’ rights.

Posted at 8:00 a.m.

Thousands of demonstrators are gathered at Panepistimio station in downtown Athens. In addition, We are on April 9. Therefore, 24 -hour general strike day organized by the main unions workers caught vice | “families to demand an increase in wages and the return of collective agreements.

The procession is prepared for its short journey to the Parliament. Furthermore, Behind general calm, frustration in the face of the cost of living is palpable.

“The wages are very low, the cost of living continues to increase year after year. Therefore, Families can no longer live from their wages. Consequently, “criticism sebelidou*, 25, explaining their participation in the strike, the third in less than five months.

The increase in the minimum wage at 880 euros ($ 1380 Can) per month. For example, entered into force a week earlier, does not seem to reassure the young Greek, who is more concerned about the price of housing.

“You have to stay with your parents up to 30 years old,” agrees with his side Theodoridou, also 25, who works full time for an oil company. However, The two friends admit themselves to live with their parents despite their jobs. Meanwhile, a situation widespread among the Greek youth, according to them.

The latest statistics proved them right: in 2024. Furthermore, the Greeks had one of the weakest purchase powers among the 27 members of the European Union, just before the Bulgarians, at the bottom of the ranking.

workers caught vice | “families

“The cost of living is super high. so the quality of life is super low,” says Penicles, further in the crowd. The 28 -year -old researcher is routing the job market. “Workers’ rights are nonexistent. »»

Workers caught vice | &quot. families – Workers caught vice | "families

Falling unionization

Since the economic crisis, the austerity imposed by successive governments has deeply shaken the world of work. From 2009 to 2017, the proportion of employees covered by a collective agreement increased from almost 100 % to 14 %, workers caught vice | “families according to OECD data. Today, the European union institute estimates that this figure fell to 10 %.

The labor market reforms of the 2010s. such as the end of automatic renewal of collective agreements and the possibility for companies to withdraw from negotiations by sectors, have considerably reduced the unionization rate of Greek workers.

A series of legislation has also deeply modified workers’ rights. One of the last. adopted in July 2024 by the government of Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis, allows employees in certain sectors to work six days a week.

A sixth day that has a hard workers caught vice | “families life

If the new law in principle leaves the right to the employee to refuse to work a sixth day. the risk of dismissal in the event of refusal is very real. Some may resist, thanks to union pressures or duplication.

This is the case of Sebelidou, met with the event, whose second job offers him greater financial security. “If they told me to work for six days, I would say no and I would go,” she said. But if it was my only job […]I would have no choice. »»

Makis Tsekouras confirms this: at the warehouse of the Praktiker store chain. where he works, most of the employees agree to work a sixth day, for fear of being dismissed. He is one of the only ones to refuse. “As a union leader, I workers caught vice | “families can afford it. I am the only one who cannot be fired, ”he explains. Unlike his colleagues, he is also one of the few still protected by a collective agreement.

M^me Gkokaki is indignant that the government uses economic recovery as an excuse to move from legislation hostile to workers.

“The government has presented this law as a solution to stop the exploitation of employees. ” recalls Manos Matsaganis, economist and head of the Greek and European workers caught vice | “families economic program within the Eliamep Foundation, an independent research center on European foreign policy.

He stresses that many companies have their employees overtime without paying them. “The intention was to put order in a very little regulated market,” he says. But I doubt that it has the expected effect. »»

Workers caught vice | "families

“Humiliated” and “pessimists”

For Mr. Matsaganis. if workers continue to demonstrate despite economic growth, it is mainly because there is no redistribution of the richness created.

As inflation disproportionately affects low-income workers. “we understand better why some Greeks are pessimistic,” he explains, based on his recent works.

And the headlines celebrating Greek economic growth will continue to frustrate the least wealthy. “With the crisis, several Greeks have become bitter with regard to workers caught vice | “families the European Union,” continues Manos Matsiganos. Additionally, […] Many have impoverished and feel humiliated. »»

* Participants in the April 9 demonstration asked to silence their last name.