Greece: Civil servant and private sector strike May 17

Event

The Civil Servants' Confederation (ADEDY) and the main private sector union, General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), have called for a 24-hour strike to take place nationwide on Saturday, May 17, to protest against austerity measures. However, according to ADEDY's spokesman, the date of the protests could change.

If the strike goes ahead as planned, demonstrations are to be anticipated, particularly in Athens and Thessaloniki. Clashes and other outbreaks of violence are possible.

Context

The strike will coincide with a parliamentary vote on a series of measures which include tax increases and pension cuts.

Strikes and protests are common in Greece, where social tensions have been fueled by drastic austerity measures implemented by national authorities imposed by the "troika" (European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund, all of which have lent money to Greece) in order to reduce the country's enormous public debt.

Advice

Individuals in Greece are advised to keep abreast of the situation, and to avoid all protests as a precaution.