2024-11-19 11:26:00
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s journalists’ union began a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, adding to growing labor unrest ahead of a nationwide general strike planned for Wednesday.
Public and many private media outlets across the country, including print, broadcast and online platforms, have suspended operations in solidarity with demands for higher wages.
The unions are demanding that the Conservative government fully restore collective bargaining rights that were curtailed during the 2010-18 financial crisis and successive international bailouts. The country has returned to healthy growth and investment grade status, but still maintains the highest debt-to-gross domestic product ratio in the European Union.
A general strike organized by private and public sector unions on Wednesday is expected to paralyze public transport and affect other services.
Union leaders have criticized the government’s failure to tackle rising inflation and inadequate housing policies that have led to lower living standards for workers.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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How does Maria Papadakis view the impact of the journalists’ strike on everyday citizens in Greece?
**Interview with Maria Papadakis, President of the Greek Journalists’ Union**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Maria. Greece’s journalists are currently on strike, and a general strike is looming tomorrow. Can you explain the core demands of the journalists’ union?
**Maria Papadakis:** Thank you for having me. Our main demand is the restoration of collective bargaining rights that were significantly reduced during the financial crisis. Journalists deserve fair wages and working conditions, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
**Editor:** There seems to be a broader wave of labor unrest in Greece. How do you view the government’s response to these growing demands?
**Maria Papadakis:** Unfortunately, the government has not adequately addressed the rising inflation and the deteriorating living standards of workers. We feel our voices are not being heard, and this strike is a way to demand the attention we deserve.
**Editor:** As public transport and many services are expected to be affected by tomorrow’s general strike, what are your thoughts on how this impacts daily life for everyday citizens?
**Maria Papadakis:** Strikes can be disruptive, but they are often necessary to highlight the issues we face. We hope that by taking this stand, we can bring attention to the struggles that many Greeks are experiencing and ultimately foster change.
**Editor:** This situation raises an important question for our readers: Do you believe that these strikes are an effective form of protest that will lead to meaningful change for workers, or do you think they further inconvenience the very citizens they aim to serve? We invite our audience to share their thoughts on this debate.
