On October 1, 2025, Athens was transformed into a city of protest as tens of thousands of workers took to the streets, bringing much of Greece to a halt. The 24-hour general strike, called by the country’s largest labor unions, was a direct response to sweeping new labor reforms that critics say threaten to erode hard-won worker protections and usher in grueling 13-hour workdays. The strike reverberated far beyond the capital, paralyzing transport networks, shutting down public services, and disrupting daily life across the nation.
In Athens, the usually bustling streets were eerily quiet except for the chants and banners of demonstrators. Taxis and trains were nowhere to be found, ferries remained docked in port, and commuters scrambled as buses, metro, tram, and trolley systems operated only on restricted timetables. Schools, courts, public hospitals, and municipal services were all affected, with many forced to cancel or delay operations. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, saw similar scenes as public life slowed to a crawl and protesters filled central squares.
The heart of the uproar is a controversial labor bill introduced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government. The legislation allows for working shifts of up to 13 hours in exceptional cases, although it caps weekly working time—including overtime—at 48 hours and limits overtime to 150 hours per year. The government argues that these changes will introduce “greater flexibility” to the labor market, insisting that the 13-hour shifts would only be required occasionally—no more than three times per month, and up to 37 days annually.
But unions and their supporters aren’t buying it. They argue that the new rules open the door to exploitation and undermine the dignity of work, especially in a country where wages remain among the lowest in the European Union. “We say no to the 13-hour shift. Exhaustion is not development; human tolerance has limits,” declared the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the nation’s largest private sector union, in a statement quoted by the Associated Press. The GSEE is demanding a 37½-hour working week and the reinstatement of collective bargaining agreements, which were dismantled during years of austerity.
The pro-communist union PAME went further, branding the government’s plan as “modern slavery” and calling for a complete reversal of the reforms. Protesters in Athens and Thessaloniki waved banners denouncing what they described as “inhumane hours and miserable wages,” and the anger was palpable. For many, the labor law changes were not just a policy dispute but a symbol of deeper frustrations—over stagnant wages, persistent unemployment, and the lingering scars of economic crisis and austerity.
“Exhaustion is not development,” repeated one demonstrator, echoing the union’s statement. The sentiment resonated widely, as labor experts warned that longer shifts could lead to burnout, lower productivity, and increased workplace accidents. Critics pointed out that while the government touts efficiency and flexibility, the social and health costs of extended workdays could be steep—costs that Greece, still recovering from its financial woes, can ill afford.
The strike’s impact was felt across the country. Ferries were tied up in port, cutting off vital links between the mainland and the islands. No taxis or trains operated in Athens for the duration of the strike, and public transport services ran on skeleton schedules. Schools, courts, hospitals, and local government offices were all thrown into disarray. According to Greek City Times, “the walkout also disrupted schools, courts, public hospitals, and local government services across the country.”
The demonstration wasn’t just about labor rights. Many protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free, free Palestine,” linking their cause with opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza. The merging of domestic labor issues with global protest currents gave the day an even more charged atmosphere, as solidarity with Gaza became a rallying cry alongside calls for fairer working conditions. As the Associated Press reported, “many of the protesters also waved Palestinian flags and chanted ‘free, free Palestine’ to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza.”
Unions representing both civil servants and private sector workers united in their opposition to the labor reforms. Their message was clear: the new laws, which permit occasional 13-hour shifts and increase the maximum allowable overtime, threaten to erode labor protections and expose workers to abuse. The GSEE and other unions argue that the reforms are a step backward, undermining collective bargaining and weakening the power of workers to negotiate fair terms.
The government, for its part, insists that the changes are necessary to modernize Greece’s labor market and attract investment. Officials argue that greater flexibility will help businesses adapt to changing economic conditions and boost overall competitiveness. But for many workers, such promises ring hollow. With a minimum wage of just €880 per month—among the lowest in the EU—Greek workers worry that “flexibility” will come at the expense of their health, security, and quality of life.
The scale of the strike was striking. According to multiple sources, including the Associated Press and Greek City Times, it was one of the largest industrial actions in recent years. The size and intensity of the protests signaled a sharp escalation in tensions between workers and the Mitsotakis government. As the labor bill heads to a vote later this month, unions have vowed to intensify their protests if their demands are not met.
The fight over work hours in Greece is, at its core, a fight over dignity, fairness, and the future of labor in a country still grappling with the aftermath of economic crisis. The slogans, the banners, and the sheer numbers on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki sent a clear message: for many Greeks, the right to decent work is non-negotiable. With the government and unions locked in a standoff, the outcome of this battle could shape the direction of Greek labor policy for years to come.
As dusk fell on October 1, the city slowly returned to its routine, but the echoes of the day’s protests lingered. The debate over labor reform is far from over, and for Greece’s workers, the struggle for fairer conditions continues—one shift, one march, and one voice at a time.
