Greek school canteen professionals announce nationwide protests

School canteen professionals in Greece have announced a nationwide mobilization scheduled for Monday, October 19, at 14:00. The Panhellenic Federation of Canteens of Public and Private Schools (POKDIS) is organizing the protests in response to new food regulations and long-standing economic challenges that threaten the viability of many businesses.

The federation has presented 14 key demands to the authorities. Central to these is the provision of food vouchers for students and families to ensure access to healthy and high-quality products. Additionally, professionals are seeking economic relief through VAT reductions, tax breaks, subsidies for equipment modernization, and exemptions from rent during the initial adjustment period to new operating conditions.

Other demands include the implementation of uniform nutritional guidelines and legislation for all meals provided to students, improvements to school canteen infrastructure, and stricter regulations regarding unauthorized food deliveries to schools. Local unions plan to submit memoranda to regional authorities as part of the protest actions.