Greek Workers Rally on May Day for Better Working Conditions, Rights

(MENAFN) On May Day, thousands of Greek workers from various leftist parties and trade unions came together in Athens to rally for their rights. The demonstration was primarily led by the major trade union PAME and the Greek Communist Party (KKE), but also saw participation from other leftist parties like the opposition SYRIZA and former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’ MeRA25 party, as well as numerous other associations, rights groups, and unions.

The demonstration commenced with Greek poet Vassilis Kolovos reading out a poem by the late Turkish writer Aziz Nesin, titled Don’t Speak. The rally was addressed by KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumpas and PAME senior official George Perros, who highlighted the deteriorating living conditions of the working class amid the cost of living crisis. They called for a more united struggle of the workers to combat the ongoing issues.

The presence of French trade union representatives was notable at the rally. French trade unionist Olivier Mato spoke at the square and emphasized the need for a Pan-European struggle of the working class.

On the same day, tram and metro workers as well as maritime workers, including ship crews and port employees, went on a 24-hour strike. This further highlighted the plight of workers and their need for better working conditions.

Apart from Athens, May Day demonstrations were also held in various other cities across Greece, including Patra, Thessaloniki, Larissa, and Heraklion. The workers' struggle for their rights remains ongoing in Greece.

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