Health care workers took to the streets in Thessaloniki on Friday, launching a series of protests ahead of the opening of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).
The march began at Hippokratio Hospital and was set to pass by hospitals in the city center so that additional health care workers could join the demonstration.
Carrying black balloons and banners, the protesters criticized conditions in Greece’s National Health System (ESY) and called for higher salaries, permanent employment for staff and improved working conditions.
Workers say health system is at its limits
Health care workers described an ESY that, in their view, is operating at its limits on a daily basis, placing increasing pressure on employees and, ultimately, patients.
Healthcare workers rally and march at Hippokratio Hospital in Thessaloniki. Friday, September 4, 2026. (Nasos Simopoulos / Eurokinissi)”
Michalis Giannakos, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Public Hospital Employees (POEDHN), said the demonstration was intended to send a message to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“We want, with the caravan to save public health, to send a message to the prime minister that this is his last chance to reverse the situation and make the National Health System attractive,” Giannakos said.
He argued that higher salaries were essential to achieving that goal.
“We cannot support our families with dignity,” he said, adding that health care workers are increasingly looking for jobs abroad or in the private sector.
Giannakos said a nurse earns €868, while a hospital porter earns €700, and argued that workers in many sectors are earning below the poverty line.
“In the future, these needs will be covered only by the private sector,” he said.
Healthcare workers rally and march at Hippokratio Hospital in Thessaloniki. Friday, September 4, 2026. (Nasos Simopoulos / Eurokinissi)”
Protesters confront police outside ERT3
When the march reached the area outside ERT3, the Thessaloniki branch of Greece’s public broadcaster, health care workers asked riot police officers stationed there to move toward the Ioannis Vellidis Convention Center and allow protesters to put up a banner.
The request was rejected, and some of the protesters attempted to break through the police cordon.
Some health care workers then entered into a dialogue with police officers and asked them to contact the minister for Citizen Protection to allow the protesters to pass.
One officer responded: “You call the minister. That’s your problem.” The protesters ultimately left their banner on the road in front of the riot police vehicles.
