Greek dock worker strikes worsen

The dock worker strike, ongoing for over 20 days in Greece, has worsened, according to the International Dockworkers Council (IDC).

This follows the Greek government’s failure to reach an agreement with the Federation of Port Workers of Greece (OMYLE) and the Piraeus Dockworkers Union, according to online sources.

After 20 days of striking, dock workers in Greece have stepped up demonstrations with the hope that the government agrees to a fair negotiation.

“The strike will continue until our demands are met. The government needs to listen to the demands of unions and secure labour relations in the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki,” said Giorgios Gogos, secretary general of the Piraeus Union of Dockers,  ascited by World Maritime News. IDC added that the government has been unable to guarantee stable employment in ports.

The strikes are also partly due to the fear that privatization of the country’s two biggest ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, could cost the dock workers their jobs as foreign port operators might introduce cheaper labour workforce.