A new 48 hour strike has been announced by the Greek National Naval Workers Federation with the main issue being the tax system of naval workers.
As a result all ferry boats, regardless of type will remain in port in all harbours over Greece from 6am on Friday 2nd December until 6am on Sunday 4th December.
The intention is to increase pressure with continued actions if necessary.
In justification of their actions, the Federation issued a statement with their demands.
“ Greek naval workers and sailors, instead of zero taxation due to the extraordinary circumstances and working conditions they endure, combined with the huge contribution that their profession bring to the national economy, have been submitted to a disproportionate and unbearable increase in the rate of tax they pay”.
This new strike comes as a result of a Bill being put through Parliament under an agreement with the “Troika” which will see naval workers lose any remaining special tax privileges and ultimately, their income would be reduced by almost 50% after all deductions.
They ask which other Naval Federation in Europe would accept this kind of loss of income
after being at sea 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in very often, highly treacherous conditions.