Greece’s major trade unions have called for strikes in protest against a planned change in the labour law, which would likely cause nationwide restrictions in air and ferry traffic on Thursday.

In addition to air traffic controllers, ferry and public transport workers, public service employees, teachers, and hospital workers plan to walk off the job. 

The Greek media reported this on Wednesday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government plans to relax labour laws in various ways, including making working hours more flexible.

The plans include obliging people to work on a Saturday or Sunday and receive an additional 40 per cent of the daily wage for the sixth working day.

They also include the introduction of employment on demand, making it possible for an employer to call an employee 24 hours in advance and make them work.

The law would allow workers to take on a second job with another employer for up to five hours a day in addition to the eight regular working hours.

The unions criticise the law for watering down the eight-hour day and the five-day week.

“The new draft law imposes 13 hours of work per day and 78 hours of work per week. It abolishes breaks at work and weekends,” said the Merchant Marine Union.

The umbrella organisation of public sector unions, ADEDY, also fears a criminalisation of trade union activities because the new law imposes fines of up to $5,349, knowing that the strikers could prevent other workers from going to work.

(dpa/NAN)