Public services, maritime, rail and urban transport, as well as a majority of private companies in Greece were idling on Monday due to a 24-hour general strike called by private and public unions to protest against soaring prices. Athenian public transport operated like a Sunday while supermarkets and shops were closed on this holiday Monday the day after May 1st.
During the traditional Labor Day parades on Sunday, around 9,000 demonstrators pounded the pavement in Athens demanding more measures from the Greek government to defend purchasing power in the face of the impact of inflation on households.
The price of electricity has doubled
Inflation in Greece reached 9.4% in April, according to the European statistics office Eurostat, a figure well above the European average of 7.5%. In March, according to the same source, electricity prices alone were not very far from having doubled to +79.3% on an annual basis, against a backdrop of soaring energy prices following the the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Greek government has granted social aid totaling 4 billion euros to deal with rampant inflation. On May 1, the minimum wage was also increased by 50 euros per month, and now stands at 713 euros gross.
Melissa Galbraith is the World News reporter for Globe Live Media. She covers all the major events happening around the World. From Europe to Americas, from Asia to Antarctica, Melissa covers it all. Never miss another Major World Event by bookmarking her author page right here.
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