**Greek Workers Strike Nationwide Demanding Higher Wages Amid Rising Costs**

ATHENS - On Wednesday, ferry operations at Greek ports ceased, and railway and bus services were significantly hindered as various sectors including transport workers, hospital doctors, and school teachers participated in a nationwide strike. Construction workers also joined the protest, which was driven by grievances over diminished living standards and a call for increased wages.

The backdrop of this unrest dates to the 2009-2018 debt crisis, during which Greece was compelled to implement severe austerity measures to secure bailouts totaling 280 billion euros ($297 billion). These measures drastically reduced wages and pensions, slashing a quarter of the nation's economic output and nearly leading to Greece's exit from the eurozone.

In response to the economic recovery observed since 2018, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' center-right administration has incrementally increased the minimum monthly gross wage four times since taking office in 2019, raising it to 830 euros a month, with a commitment to elevate it further to 950 euros by 2027. However, many Greeks remain dissatisfied, arguing that these pay increments are insufficient in the face of escalating living costs, particularly in energy, food, and housing sectors.

The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), the largest private sector union in Greece representing about 2.5 million workers, is at the forefront of the strike. Their posters, which state "Prices and rents have skyrocketed, while wages are at a low point," underscore the demand for immediate and substantial pay raises to tackle what the union describes as an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. GSEE also called for governmental measures against oligopolistic practices believed to inflate the prices of essential goods.

As the protests unfold in central Athens, Prime Minister Mitsotakis has acknowledged the necessity for improving wages and GDP per capita. He renewed his plea to the European Union for assistance in addressing disparities in power prices, which result in higher costs for Greeks compared to other EU countries.

The timing of the strike coincides with the government's submission of its final 2025 budget for debate in the 300-seat parliament, with a vote scheduled for the following month. The outcome of this budget and how it addresses the pressing wage issue will be closely watched by the striking workers and the wider population.