A general strike across Greece is set to halt the nation on Wednesday, as public and private sector workers unite to protest against high living costs and what they describe as a widening gap between rich and poor.
The strike comes as the pro-business government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis faces mounting criticism for its handling of inflation and its impact on household finances.
The 24-hour strike, organized by major unions, is expected to disrupt virtually every aspect of daily life.
Government offices, schools, hospitals, and public transportation systems—including trains and ferries connecting the Greek islands—are anticipated to cease operations. The action began a day earlier, with employees of state- and privately-owned media outlets walking off the job in solidarity.
Union leaders have called for “dignified wages” to combat the escalating costs of goods and services, which they argue have eroded the standard of living for millions.
Yannis Panagopoulos, the president of Greece’s largest private-sector union, GSEE, voiced the frustration felt by many workers. “The cost of living is sky-high while our salaries are rock-bottom,” he said. “Young people are particularly hard-hit, as rising housing costs have left them in a tragic situation.”
GSEE, along with other labor organizations, has accused the center-right administration of neglecting the needs of ordinary citizens. “The government refuses to implement meaningful measures to ensure workers can live with dignity,” Panagopoulos added.
Despite a minimum wage increase to just under €900 per month, many low-income Greeks struggle to make ends meet in a country where energy, retail, and telecommunications costs rank among the highest in Europe. Critics, including opposition leaders, frequently highlight the disparity, claiming Greece forces its citizens to endure “British prices on Bulgarian salaries.”
While Prime Minister Mitsotakis has pledged to raise the minimum wage to €950, opponents argue that the promise falls short in addressing the deeper economic challenges. Housing costs, in particular, have skyrocketed, making it increasingly difficult for many to maintain a basic standard of living.
Over the past decade, Greece has transformed from a nation teetering on the edge of exiting the eurozone to one applauded for its fiscal reforms. Under Mitsotakis, the country has achieved investment-grade status and has consistently exceeded economic growth targets.
Notably, Greece has posted some of the highest growth rates in the European Union, with the European Commission predicting a 2.1% expansion in 2024. This figure, slightly below the 2.3% forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is significantly higher than the eurozone’s anticipated 0.8% growth. Unemployment has also plummeted from nearly 30% during the height of the debt crisis to 8.3%, marking its lowest level in two decades.
