Ferry services in Greece are being disrupted today as the result of a 24-hour strike called by the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO). The union claims that some shipping firms have violated collective labour agreements.
PNO has called on seafarers aboard Greek-flagged ferries to take industrial action in protest against these alleged violations. At the height of the summer holiday season the strike will particularly hit the tourist industry on which the troubled Greek economy depends for much of its revenue.
Greek seafarers claim that certain shipping firms are employing uninsured crew members adding to unemployment in their sector, which they said was over 50%.
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In its statement, PNO also warned of an impending “avalanche” of anti-worker measures demanded by Greece’s international creditors that will take effect if Greeks vote in favour of the austerity package proposed by EU negotiators, agreeing to the deal would enable the country to draw down new emergency funding and avert a banking crisis.
If a majority of Greeks vote against the deal at next Sunday’s referendum, Greece is likely to leave the eurozone and return to its former national currency the drachma.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.
