Chaos in Athens as Greeks protest new labor law
Thousands of Greeks took to the streets of Athens on Thursday (June 10).
They were protesting against a new labor bill that has caused months of unrest.
Critics see it as a plot to introduce longer working hours.
Dimitris Koutsoubas is leader of the Greek Communist Party:
"The workers have the final say, the youth, who if they realize their power they can destroy this bill and send this bill to the trash bin where it belongs, so they will not live a lifetime of being slaves of the 21st century."
The government says the new measures are needed to replace antiquated laws.
Those rules date from a pre-internet era when most workers clocked on at offices and factories at the same time.
The new bill would create a “digital work card” to monitor hours.
That would allow people to work 10 hours one day, and then fewer hours on another day.
But unions say it could enable employers to force people into longer hours, and avoid paying overtime.
Thursday’s protests sparked travel chaos in the capital.
Ferry services were cancelled at Piraeus port, flights were rescheduled at Athens airport, and public transport was disrupted.
Further protests are expected next week ahead of parliament’s vote on the bill.
