Solidarity message of Gabriele Bischoff, President of the EESC Workers' Group, to the Greek trade unions for the general strike on 14 December

On behalf of the Workers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee, we would like to express our solidarity and support for Greek workers taking part in the general strike on 14 December. The general strike is called to protest against the agreement reached between the Greek government and the European and international institutions (European Commission, European Central Bank, European Stability Mechanism and the International Monetary Fund) on 15 June 2017.

GSEE, together with ADEDY, the public sector union, oppose the endless austerity, the new tax hikes and labour market deregulation imposed on Greek people.

As the details of the agreement become clear, so does the extent of the harmful changes that the institutions want to impose on Greece.  This includes labour market reforms and privatisation under the control of the European institutions. Already sectoral collective agreements can be suspended by employers. The minimum wage has been cut. Furthermore: the Eurogroup wants to make it easier for employers to have mass lay-offs.  The agreement stipulates that industrial action should be restrained. Fundamental rights are denied!

None of these measures will help recover Greece from its deep recession nor stimulate growth or reduce Greece's debt burden which remains unsustainable after nearly 8 years of the same recipe.

WE NEED AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MEASURES!
RESPECT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE!

SOCIAL EUROPE NOW!

Gabriele Bischoff
President of the EESC Workers' Group

Work organisation