Greece-wide strike disrupts transport, affects thousands ahead of Passover

Greece experienced widespread disruptions due to a 24-hour general strike called by major labor unions, with over 15,000 protesters demanding higher wages to cope with the rising cost of living. The strike, which impacted transportation services including flights, ferries, and public transport, coincided with the implementation of new tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. Unions ADEDY and GSEE highlighted a decade of wage stagnation, with salaries failing to keep pace with inflation and increasing housing costs attributed to unchecked tourism development. Despite a recent increase in the minimum wage, many workers report struggling to afford basic necessities, prompting calls for reinstated collective bargaining rights lost during the financial crisis. The government maintains that it must exercise fiscal prudence despite overall economic growth, leaving workers feeling the pinch of rising living expenses amid stagnant wages. Protests were held in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, as the strike underscored ongoing public discontent with the conservative government's handling of economic issues.