Greek Seafarers Extend Strike Amidst Labour Disputes

The news in Greek

1. ομοσπονδία (f.)
   ένωση οργανισμών ή κρατών που συνεργάζονται για κοινό σκοπό ↩︎
2. παράταση (f.)
   αύξηση της διάρκειας, επεκτείνοντας τον χρόνο ισχύος ↩︎
3. απεργία (f.)
   ομαδική αποχή από την εργασία για διεκδίκηση δικαιωμάτων ↩︎
4. ναυτικός (m.)
   άτομα που εργάζονται στη θάλασσα, ειδικά σε πλοία ↩︎
5. μισθός (m.)
   χρηματική αμοιβή για εργασία ↩︎
6. συνθήκη (f.)
   οι περιστάσεις ή κατάσταση που περιβάλλει κάτι ↩︎
7. απεργία (f.)
   ομαδική αποχή από την εργασία για διεκδίκηση δικαιωμάτων ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: Who announced the extension of the seafarers’ strike?

Question: What are the sailors asking for in their strike?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
ομοσπονδία (f.)	federation
παράταση (f.)	extension
απεργία (f.)	strike
ναυτικός (m.)	sailors
μισθός (m.)	wages
συνθήκη (f.)	conditions

Read the full story

The seafarers’ union attributes the continuation of the strike to several unresolved critical issues affecting Greek sailors. These include calls for a repeal of Law 4150, which regulates the four-month operational period of high-speed vessels, and demands for the signing of a collective bargaining agreement with a 12% wage increase, as opposed to the 3% proposed by shipowners. Beyond wage disputes, the union highlights problems such as unpaid overtime and the insufficient winter staffing levels, which span November to March.

The PNO has criticized the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs for what it perceives as a lack of response to these pressing concerns, accusing the ministry of favouring shipowners at the expense of maritime workers’ rights. The union is also seeking an immediate meeting with the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Christos Stylianides, to discuss an array of grievances including changes to unemployment benefit conditions, which currently result in minimal support for only a select few eligible seafarers.

Moreover, union representatives have pointed out that, despite recent inspections aimed at rectifying violations related to crew work limits, several maritime companies still owe employees for overtime work, particularly in roles such as stewards, chefs, and financial officers. These issues are exacerbated by the fact that the majority of Greek seafarers work only 6 to 7 months a year, yet wages are distributed over 12 months, which impacts earning predictability and financial stability.

As the strike continues, travellers planning trips for the impending 28th October national holiday weekend face significant disruptions, with many having to alter or cancel their plans due to the strike’s timing. The PNO is organizing a protest rally on Friday, the 25th of October, at 10 am, near the ship El. Venizelos, to further emphasize their cause.

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