Newsflash from Tuesday, 14 October 2025: Workers and students in Heraklion rally against Greece’s new labor bill proposing a 13-hour workday. Calls grow for the withdrawal of the controversial legislation.
The heart of Heraklion pulsed with chants, banners, and solidarity on Tuesday as hundreds of workers, students, and unions gathered in Eleftherias Square to protest the government’s proposed labor bill introducing a 13-hour workday.
The demonstration, organized by local unions and workers’ associations, sent a powerful message against what participants described as “the abolition of the 8-hour day and the institutionalization of overexploitation.” With banners reading “Hands off our labor rights” and “Respect the 8-hour workday,” demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of the bill currently being debated in Parliament.
Among the groups present were the Food and Beverage Workers’ Union, the Technical Employees’ Union of Heraklion, the PAGNI Hospital Workers’ Union, and several student associations. The atmosphere was vibrant yet peaceful, uniting diverse voices under a shared call for dignity, fair working conditions, and social justice.
This protest in Heraklion was part of a nationwide wave of strikes and demonstrations sweeping across Greece, as unions such as GSEE and ADEDY have called for a 24-hour walkout against the bill. Major cities including Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras have also seen large turnouts, disrupting transport and public services (source Greek City Times).
Participants emphasized that the fight extends beyond working hours — it’s about the protection of fundamental labor rights and the preservation of social equality. As one protester stated, “We are not just defending our time; we are defending our lives.”
The rally concluded with a renewed pledge for continued mobilization if the government proceeds with the legislation. Eleftherias Square, once again, became a symbol of unity and resistance — a reminder that the struggle for fair work conditions remains alive and strong in Crete.
Ferries cancelled
Ships will be moored in all ports across the country from 00:01 to 23:59 on Tuesday due to the participation of the PEMEN and PENEN seafarers’ unions in the strike. Seafarers complain that the bill ‘legalises 13-hour working days’ and essentially abolishes collective agreements.
Flights operating normally
All domestic and international flights are operating normally, as the single-judge court of first instance in Athens has declared the participation of air traffic controllers and other sectors in the strike mobilisations to be illegal. Therefore, there will be no cancellations or changes to flights.
