On October 1, 2025, Greece found itself at a virtual standstill as thousands of workers across the country staged a massive 24-hour strike to protest sweeping new labour laws. The reforms, which permit work shifts of up to 13 hours and cap total weekly hours (including overtime) at 48, have sparked outrage among unions and labor advocates, who argue that the changes threaten workers’ rights and well-being. The day was marked by deserted streets, silent ferry ports, and a palpable sense of frustration, as public and private sector employees united in a rare display of solidarity.
The strike, called by unions representing both civil servants and private sector workers, led to widespread disruption throughout Greece. In Athens, the capital, not a single taxi or train was in operation for the duration of the strike. Buses, subways, trams, and trolleys ran only limited schedules, leaving many residents stranded or forced to find alternative means of transport. The usually bustling city felt eerily quiet, with traffic at a fraction of its normal level and the city’s signature yellow taxis nowhere in sight.
But it wasn’t just transportation that ground to a halt. Schools, courts, public hospitals, and municipal offices across the country were heavily impacted, with many shuttered for the day or operating with drastically reduced staff. In both Athens and Thessaloniki—Greece’s two largest cities—transport systems were brought to a near halt. Hospital staff, teachers, and other civil servants joined the walkout, amplifying the disruption and underscoring the breadth of opposition to the new laws. According to Times Now News, ferry crews kept vessels docked in the ports around Athens, leaving the usually busy seas calm and empty in a show of solidarity with the striking workers.
The strike was not limited to the capital. Across Greece, similar scenes played out as workers heeded the call to action. Public services were paralyzed, and the sense of unity among workers was palpable. The General Confederation of Workers of Greece, the country’s main private sector union, issued a statement that captured the prevailing mood: “We say no to the 13-hour (shift). Exhaustion is not development, human tolerance has limits.” The union called for a 37.5-hour working week and the return of collective bargaining agreements, both of which they see as essential protections for workers in an increasingly demanding labor market.
The government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has defended the new labour laws as necessary reforms to increase flexibility and competitiveness in the Greek economy. The legislation allows for occasional 13-hour shifts, provided that total working hours do not exceed 48 per week and that overtime is capped at 150 hours per year. Supporters argue that these changes will help Greek businesses adapt to the demands of a globalized economy, particularly in sectors that require round-the-clock service, such as tourism.
However, unions and their supporters see things very differently. They argue that the reforms leave workers vulnerable to abuse by employers, who may exploit the new rules to demand longer hours without adequate compensation or rest. The All-Workers Militant Front (PAME), a prominent pro-communist union, was particularly scathing in its assessment, accusing the Mitsotakis government of trying to impose “inhumane hours and miserable wages.” In a statement, PAME described the reforms as “modern slavery,” a phrase that resonated throughout the day’s protests and was echoed on banners and in chants across the country.
The sense of déjà vu was hard to escape for many Greeks. Just a year earlier, in 2024, the government had faced similar backlash after introducing a six-day working week for private businesses in tourism and other sectors providing 24/7 services. That move, too, had sparked mass demonstrations, with unions labeling the decision “barbaric.” The echoes of those protests were evident in the anger and determination of this year’s strikers, many of whom see the current reforms as part of a broader trend toward eroding workers’ rights in the name of economic progress.
Wednesday’s demonstrations were not solely about labor laws, however. Several protests also broke out in response to the recent interception of the Gaza Aid Flotilla and the ongoing conflict in Palestine. While these issues are distinct, the convergence of protests reflected a broader sense of frustration and solidarity among Greek workers and citizens, many of whom feel that their voices are not being heard by those in power.
For many participants, the strike was about more than just specific policies—it was a statement about the kind of society they want to live in. As one union leader put it, “Exhaustion is not development, human tolerance has limits.” The message was clear: economic growth should not come at the expense of workers’ health, dignity, and basic rights. The call for the restoration of collective bargaining agreements was especially significant, as many see these agreements as a crucial bulwark against exploitation and a means of ensuring fair wages and reasonable working conditions.
The government, for its part, has so far shown little sign of backing down. Officials argue that the new laws are in line with European standards and are necessary to attract investment and create jobs. Critics, however, point out that Greece’s economic recovery has been uneven and that many workers have yet to see the benefits of recent growth. The fear is that, without strong protections, workers will be forced to shoulder an ever-increasing burden while employers reap the rewards.
As the sun set on a day of unprecedented disruption, it was clear that the battle over Greece’s labor laws is far from over. The sheer scale of the strike and the passion of the protests suggest that unions and their supporters are prepared to keep fighting for what they see as fundamental rights. Whether the government will respond with concessions or dig in its heels remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the debate over the future of work in Greece has entered a new and potentially decisive phase.
In the end, the events of October 1, 2025, served as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of solidarity, collective action, and the ongoing struggle for fair and humane working conditions. As Greece grapples with the pressures of a changing economy, the voices of its workers are unlikely to fade quietly into the background.