Workers in Greece’s tourism and catering sectors have launched a 24-hour nationwide strike today, Wednesday, February 25, following a decision by the Panhellenic Federation of Employees in Food Service and Tourism (POEET).
A protest gathering is expected to take place at 11:00 a.m. outside the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The Attica Union of Food Service, Tourism and Hotel Workers has also called for mass participation in the strike.
In an official statement, union representatives said workers were demanding the signing of a collective labor agreement in the food service and catering sector. Their demands reportedly include wage increases; the establishment of a five-day, eight-hour, 40-hour workweek; and additional compensation for work on a sixth day, in line with what applies across other sectors of the Greek economy.
They also called for the restoration of unemployment benefit duration for seasonal workers to pre-austerity levels, with coverage set at 80 percent of wages, as is the case for other unemployed workers. Among other demands, the unions highlighted the need to abolish falsely declared part-time work, strengthen labor inspection mechanisms, and implement comprehensive health and safety measures across workplaces.
At the same time, union officials argued that the government continued to leave seasonal employees without income during the winter months, noting that thousands had yet to receive unemployment benefits despite having submitted applications as early as late October or early November.
