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Europe
Construction workers in national strike after fatality at prestigious building project near Athens, Greece
Builders and other construction workers at a residential development project near Athens, Greece began a 48-hour strike Monday, after a fellow construction worker fell to his death last weekend. They were joined Wednesday by building workers and electricians nationwide, with rallies held in major cities.
The General Confederation of Greek Workers Union members blame unsafe conditions and forced overwork, including 13-hour days and compulsory weekend labour. They demand improved health and safety measures, a seven-hour day, 35-hour week and a living wage.
In recent general strikes, Greek workers have protested nationally against new labour laws introduced by the right-wing New Democracy government, which provide for longer hours of up to 13 hours a day and contain other attacks on conditions.
Official abolition of the eight-hour day, legalising the catastrophic working conditions that already exist in Greece, leads to chronic overwork and the increased likelihood of worksite accidents such as the one at the building project.
At the beginning of the year, workers organised mass protests against the continuing government cover-up of the Tempi rail crash in 2023 that killed 57—victims of privatisation and cost-cutting undermining safety.
Thousands of higher education students and teachers march through Amsterdam, Netherlands against funding cuts
Thousands of students and teachers marched through Amsterdam, Netherlands on Tuesday, protesting €1.2 billion in government cuts to higher education funding.
The General Education Union and Netherlands Trade Union Confederation members demand a decision from the new coalition cabinet to reverse earlier planned budget measures.
Tens of thousands of doctors and other health professionals strike throughout Spain against government attacks on National Health System
Doctors and other medical staff across Spain took part in a national strike Tuesday to Friday to protest the government draft Framework Statute of the National Health System. Consultations, operations, surgeries and diagnostic tests were cancelled as surgeons, anaesthetists, laboratory specialists and other health professionals stopped work and rallied in major centres around the country.
The Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) and other regional union members say there was no consultation around the statute, which fails to address staff shortages, poor working conditions and low pay. One told Europa Press, “We want to provide quality health care, but it cannot be at the cost of our lives.”
Municipal workers in Izmir, Turkey walk out over lack of pay and layoffs
Hundreds of workers employed at subsidiary companies run by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality (İzBB) in Turkey held three days of walkouts and marches from Monday. They are protesting non-payment of wages and a compulsory furlough policy.
Workers from neighbouring Buca municipality also demonstrated for two days this week in demand of several months of accumulated back pay and receivables.
The Genel-İş union members at İzBB demand the reinstatement of 350 furloughed workers and the immediate payment of overdue entitlements of bonuses, overtime pay, food vouchers and education support previously agreed through collective bargaining.
Municipalities across Turkey are mired in debt, and workers’ wages and social rights are increasingly being targeted as part of cost cutting.
Further walkout by British Library staff over pay and working conditions
Around 300 British Library (BL) staff at its St Pancras site in London began a week-long strike on Monday. The strikers, including library assistants, conservation and shop workers and security staff, previously held a two-week stoppage which ended November 9.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members voted by a 98 percent majority to walk out after rejecting a derisory 2.4 percent pay offer, a cut in real terms with RPI inflation at 4.5 percent.
Following the two-week action, BL came back with an improved offer of 3.8 percent backdated to August this year. This was rejected by the PCS members, leading to this week’s stoppage.
PCS members are also protesting workloads and conditions. BL suffered a cyber-attack in the summer of 2023. Over 600 GB of data was stolen, including staff personal data. As an ongoing consequence of the cyber-attack, many operations which had been automated now have to be carried out manually, leading to increased workloads.
During the previous strike, workers explained that living in London was very expensive and the failure of their salaries to keep up with the increasing cost of living meant they had to resort to food banks or take second jobs.
Further stoppages by UK Diligenta workers over pay
Around 1,000 workers employed by financial outsourcer Diligenta at five sites, Edinburgh, Kildean in Stirling, Glasgow, Liverpool and Reading, walked out Monday and Tuesday over pay. They provide call centre, back-office support and complaint services for major financial companies including Lloyds, M&G, Aviva and Phoenix.
The Unite union members previously walked out on November 18, 28 and December 1. They rejected a pay offer of 2-3 percent, depending on grade. With RPI inflation at around 4.5 percent, this represents a real-terms pay cut.
Diligenta, part of the Tata Consultancy Services global IT, recorded profits of around £29 million in 2024, averaging over £80,000 from each employee.
Staff at UK coal mining museum continue strike over pay
Around 40 staff at the coal mining museum near Wakefield, England have been on strike since August for an increased pay offer. Many of the workers are currently on £12.60 an hour.
The Unison union members include former miners who lost their jobs following the defeat of the 1984-85 miners’ strike. A rally in support of the strikers on Saturday outside Wakefield cathedral attracted around 250. The current action is mandated until January 28, but a ballot is to be held Friday which could extend the stoppage until next summer.
Middle East
Protests continue across Iran as economic crisis deepens
The economic crisis in Iran continues to deepen, with the US dollar trading at 1.26 million rials and gold prices hitting record highs. The ongoing economic crisis is fuelling continuing protests.
On Wednesday, oil contract workers protesting low wages and insecure employment outside parliament were joined by employees from the State Welfare Organization, whose wages fail to keep up with the escalating cost of living.
Tuesday saw a strike by around 5,000 contract workers in Asaluyeh in the South Pars gas hub over low wages and job insecurity. They were joined by family members as they held one of the largest rallies in recent history.
Monday saw simultaneous rallies in cities across 12 provinces, including Isfahan, Kermanshah and Tehran, by telecommunication retirees protesting the low level of pensions. Tehran also saw protests by people affected by a 90-fold increase in the price of the drug Cystagon, used in certain genetic disorders.
US and NATO sanctions aimed at destabilising Iran are exacerbating the collapse of the economy. The destabilisation of Iran is central to US imperialism’s goal of hegemony in the Middle East and escalation of conflict with China.
Africa
South Africa’s ANC staff protest delayed salaries and unpaid benefits
Workers employed at the African National Congress’s (ANC) headquarters at Luthuli House, Johannesburg picketed the ANC’s 5th National General Council on Monday.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union members are demanding payment of salaries and benefits, including medical aid. They say this is a recurring problem. Workers are also worried about how secure their pensions are.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa (himself worth R6.4 billion—US$D450 million—as far back as 2015) told delegates entering the conference venue to “stop showing off their wealth,” according to the DailyMaverick. Delegates were arriving past the pickets in expensive cars.
The Government of National Unity, led by the ANC is presiding over unemployment of 31.9 percent, a rate doubled among 15-24-year-olds. South Africa is the most unequal country in the world, according to the World Bank.
Striking cleaners and security guards at company in Knysna Municipality, South Africa threatened with sackings
Cleaners and security staff employed by Dephetogo, contracted to Knysna Municipality, South Africa have been on strike for two weeks.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa members are demanding payment of bonuses due at the end of October. Several workers have been suspended. The company denies the claim and is instructing a return to work on pain of dismissal.
Judiciary staff in Kogi, Nigeria walk out on indefinite strike
Judiciary staff in Kogi State, Nigeria held a stoppage December 4 over unmet promises, including pay arrears from October 2024 and bonuses from earlier this year.
An incriminating statement signed by Emmanuel Waniko, Chairman, and Sule Suberu, Secretary of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (Kogi branch) said, “You will recall that the last strike was suspended before its commencement as a result of the purported approval by the Governor...” It described the state government reneging on its promises as “rather unfortunate.”