Athens Faces Taxi Strike on 19th February

The news in Greek

1. ταξιτζής (m.)
   οδηγός ταξί ↩︎
2. απεργία (f.)
   η παύση εργασίας ως μορφή διαμαρτυρίας ↩︎
3. υπηρεσία (f.)
   δουλειές ή εργασίες που παρέχονται σε κάποιον ↩︎
4. διαμαρτύρομαι
   εκφράζω δυσαρέσκεια ή αντίθεση ↩︎
5. ανταγωνισμός (m.)
   η προσπάθεια να υπερισχύνεις έναντι άλλου σε έναν τομέα ↩︎
6. συνθήκη (f.)
   οι καταστάσεις κάτω από τις οποίες συμβαίνει κάτι ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: Why are the taxi drivers in Athens going on strike?

Question: How long will the taxi strike in Athens last?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
ταξιτζής (m.)	taxi driver
απεργία (f.)	strike
υπηρεσία (f.)	services
διαμαρτύρομαι	protest
ανταγωνισμός (m.)	competition
συνθήκη (f.)	conditions

Read the full story

The strike is a manifestation of multiple grievances from the taxi drivers. According to the syndicate’s announcement, the drivers are demanding the resolution of issues like the “unfair competition” they face from car rental companies, including popular ride-sharing services such as Uber and Bolt, which are accused of offering illegal discounts that violate state-mandated fare structures. These allegations have been a point of contention, with drivers claiming these companies have undermined their earnings and operational legitimacy.

Furthermore, the SATA is seeking legislative reforms, highlighting the need for a clear distinction in the services provided by taxis and rental cars with drivers. The syndicate insists that only taxis should conduct urban transport, while rental vehicles should merely offer purchased time for transport needs. They are also advocating for the abolition of specific tax regulations that adversely affect their earnings, particularly stressing the need for a tax-free threshold of 12,000 euros.

The strike’s demands extend to infrastructural privileges, such as allowing taxis free entry into dedicated bus lanes, which are currently out of bounds. Additionally, SATA is calling for immediate enforcement of a law that bans intermediaries from collecting passenger fares, which they believe has been inadequately addressed thus far.

Notably, the syndicate has also objected to the mandatory registration of new zero-emission taxis from 2026, proposing a deferral of this requirement to 2035, allowing more time for transition. They have also requested more flexibility in the registration of multi-seat and five-year used taxis.

In their statement, the SATA urged the Panhellenic Federation and all taxi unions across Greece to show solidarity by participating in the strike. This call to action is part of a broader strategy to rally nationwide support for their cause, emphasizing their efforts as a “fair fight” for the rights and livelihoods of taxi operators throughout the country.

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