Taxi drivers in Athens have launched a 48-hour strike, halting services from 6 a.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Thursday in protest against new government transport policies.
According to the union representing taxi drivers in the Greek capital, only trips to and from hospitals will be permitted during the walkout. Vehicles on standby will carry special markings to identify them.
Drivers gathered Tuesday morning outside the union’s headquarters, describing the strike as a “struggle for survival.” In a statement, the union urged passengers to show understanding, arguing that the government’s measures threaten the livelihoods of self-employed taxi drivers.
At the heart of the dispute is a joint ministerial decision issued in August, which drivers say shifts passenger transport work to multinational companies and large corporate groups. The union accuses the government of legislating in favor of powerful business interests at the expense of working people, rejecting dialogue and undermining the taxi sector.
Among their demands are:
- Withdrawal of the August ministerial decision
- Stronger regulation of multinational and digital platforms
- Protection of self-employed taxi drivers from unfair competition
- Support for long-standing industry issues, including taxation, road-use rules, and new requirements for electrification from January 2026
“This fight is not only for taxi drivers,” the union declared, “but also for democracy, dignity, and the right to work. It is a fight for passengers as well.”
