- cross-posted to:
- world@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- world@lemmy.world
Transport systems, hospitals and schools hit, as workers say laws kill hopes of work-life balance
A general strike has paralysed Greece as unions step up industrial action against labour laws introducing a 13-hour work day in a country that already puts in some of the longest hours in Europe.
The 24-hour strike brought mass disruption to services across the country on Wednesday as thousands of workers in the public and private sector stopped work and took to the streets.
In both Athens and Thessaloniki, the country’s second biggest city, transport systems were halted, while hospital staff, teachers and other civil servants stopped working. The seas around the Greek capital were vessel-free as crews, heeding union calls, kept ferries in ports.
They’re wanting restrictions changed for the current 8 max to be raised to 13 max. Optionally.
That wouldn’t mean that everyone works 13 hour days. But some obviously would. Which sucks unless there are other protections.
I do know at least one person that loves his 3x12 job; it’s not universally bad.
Optional… When profit is the main goal of society, is it really a option for those without gross amounts capital? Greece is suffering from a huge labor shortage, so this 13 hours bull will seep into every job eventually. Some wealthy person on high crunched the numbers and realized that the imaginary line on the graph won’t keep going up if everyday people don’t break their backs so those in power can have 7 homes and perverted sex island. The global economy is collapsing and all we can think of is to poor more gas in the fire.
That’s why I said “without other protections”.
But no, this wouldn’t mandate everyone to work 13 hours or even mean it’s likely. Even in the wasteland that is the US, where 13 hour days are (frequently) allowed, it isn’t common.
But yes, someone would be motivated to screw someone else here for the reasons you’re saying.