Letter of Solidarity with GSEE’s Nationwide General Strike in Greece

On behalf of the Workers' Group in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), I am writing to express our deepest solidarity with the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the 24-hour nationwide general strike taking place on 9 April 2025.

This mobilisation highlights the hardship and precarious conditions Greek workers still face more than a decade after the financial crisis. Persistent low wages, rising living costs, and the weakening of collective labour rights have eroded the standard of living and contributed to growing social inequality.

We note with concern that Greece ranks last in the EU in terms of purchasing power, yet the recent minimum wage increase, announced without proper consultation, does little to address the real needs of working people. The data provided by the Labour Institute of GSEE paints a stark picture: a growing share of workers cannot afford basic necessities, rent, or heating.

It highlights that 60% of workers cannot meet monthly living expenses, 90% are cutting back on basic food items, and over 50% of tenants spend more than 40% of their household income on rent and heating.

We support the key demands put forward by GSEE, including: 

• Restoration of Collective Labour Agreements and the return to minimum wage determination through collective bargaining by social partners.
• Universal extension of Collective Agreements, aiming for at least 80% coverage.
• Reinstatement of the principle of favourability and the protective framework of after-effect provisions.
• Strengthening of individual and collective rights, particularly regarding telework. platform work, and workers' participation in the digital transition.
• Fair taxation and targeted tax relief for employees and pensioners.
• Effective anti-inflation measures, including price caps on essential goods and strict monitoring of pricing practices.
• Expansion of affordable and social housing, supported by public funding, state aid, and protections for primary residences.
• Enforcement of comprehensive health and safety measures including proper recording and reporting of occupational accidents and diseases
• Stronger measures to prevent and combat sexual and gender-based violence, including cyber harassment in the workplace.
• Full respect for freedom of association, free from interference by the state or employers.

In times like these, it is crucial to reaffirm the role of trade unions in safeguarding democracy, dignity, and social justice. We support GSEE’s call for the full respect of trade union freedoms.

The Workers’ Group expresses its strong support for GSEE and all Greek workers mobilising for fair wages, decent work, and a more just society.

In solidarity,

Lucie Studnicná