Nationwide protests in Greece against longer working hours

A nationwide general strike in Greece on Wednesday halted trains, ferries and taxis across the capital, as public and private sector workers protest changes to the country’s labour laws, Euronews writes.

No taxis in Athens or trains will run for the duration of the 24-hour strike, while buses and the city’s subway, tram and trolley services were operating on a reduced schedule.

The strike was disrupting services across Greece, including in schools, courts, public hospitals and municipalities.

Two protest marches were planned in central Athens, with demonstrations also set for other cities.

Unions representing civil servants and private sector workers called the strike to protest labour law changes that will introduce more flexibility, including allowing overtime that could stretch shifts to 13 hours in a day.