As of today the the container workers at Greece’s largest and busiest port, Piraeus, will go on a 48-hour strike.
Following several safety concerns and complaints on inhumane working conditions “hundreds more suffer from health problems as a result of intensified work and insufficient hygiene and safety measures”, the Piraeus Port Dock Containers Workers Union (ENEDEP) stressed on Tuesday in an announcement pushing for the signing of a collective labor agreement.
“In October, a port worker was killed in workplace accident,” it said.
“Meanwhile, the International Maritime Union in Greece, which represents shipping and business interests, appealed to the Shipping and Island Policy Ministry to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the port’s commercial section in the run-up toi the festive season, so that the “both the right to strike and to work would be respected.”
This comes as the commercial port remains closed since 28 November “due to weather conditions and due to the known inability to provide navigation services”.
While workers strike for the next two days, 10 mother vessels and 11 feeders are on standby for loading-unloading, AMNA reports, highlighting the major financial implications of the closure on both a domestic and national level.