Greek unions strike to protest labour reform

(10 Jun 2021) Widespread strikes in Greece brought public transport and other services to a halt Thursday, as the country's largest labour unions protested against employment reforms they argue will make flexible workplace changes introduced during the pandemic more permanent. The 24-hour protest also disrupted public hospitals and ferry services to the Greek islands. Greece's center-right government says the draft legislation currently being debated in parliament will allow greater flexibility within a guaranteed 40-hour workweek and also modernize regulations to grant new fathers longer paternity leave. But opponents, including the main left-wing opposition party which is backing the strikes, have accused the government of using lockdowns as a pretext to further erode longstanding working rights and legal protection for employees. Several demonstrations were planned in Athens and other cities later Thursday. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...