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4 clusters · 11 sources · 17 days · First seen · Last updated

Greek healthcare worker labor and safety disputes

Overview

The Federation of Public Health Employees (POEDHN) has raised alarms regarding the deteriorating conditions facing healthcare workers in Greece. Initially, the federation focused on the rise of violence against staff at various medical facilities, including the Red Cross, Agia Sophia, Pammakaristos, EKAB, Volos, and Argolida. POEDHN demanded the strict application of Law 5090/2024 to criminalize the disruption of nursing institutions and called for dedicated security personnel.

Following these concerns, the focus expanded to systemic issues within the National Health System (ESY). In early September 2026, healthcare workers launched protests in Thessaloniki, including a gathering at AHEPA Hospital. Demonstrators expressed opposition to the degradation of the public health system and the potential for increased privatization. Participants included workers from Crete and Agios Nikolaos Hospital, joining a nationwide mobilization.

POEDHN President Michalis Giannakos highlighted a significant decline in hospital personnel, noting that the workforce dropped from approximately 94,034 in October 2021 to 87,400 by August 2026. He criticized health spending, which stands at 5.5% of the budget compared to 7.5% in other European nations.

Key demands from the mobilized workers include a horizontal salary increase of 500 euros, a 20% salary increase, the reinstatement of 13th and 14th month salaries, and the permanent employment of contract workers. Additionally, workers called for massive recruitment of permanent staff and better protection of labor rights in unhealthy environments. Giannakos also noted that the failure of primary healthcare has placed undue pressure on major hospitals, with over 80% of emergency care patients not requiring hospitalization.

Entities

POEDHN · National Health System · Thessaloniki · Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace · Agia Sophia Hospital

Timeline

  1. 7 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek healthcare workers protest against public health system degradation

    Healthcare workers in Greece are protesting against the degradation of the public health system, demanding wage increases, more staff, and increased funding to prevent privatization.

  2. 9 days ago

    [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Greek healthcare workers protest for staff and wage increases

    Greek healthcare workers are protesting in Thessaloniki, demanding higher wages, permanent staff recruitment, and increased funding to address critical shortages in the National Health System.

  3. 23 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Healthcare workers to protest in Thessaloniki against National Health System issues

    Healthcare workers in Greece, organized by POEDHN, will hold a nationwide protest in Thessaloniki on September 4, 2026, to denounce staffing shortages and the devaluation of the National Health System.

  4. 23 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    POEDHN demands better protection for Greek healthcare workers amid rising violence

    The Greek healthcare federation POEDHN is demanding better protection and more security staff following a rise in violence against medical workers at various hospitals and emergency services.

Sources

athina984.gr · dimokratia.gr · e-vima.gr · ertnews.gr · fonimaleviziou.gr · healthmag.gr · iatronet.gr · latofm.gr · lawandorder.gr · lykavitos.gr · sofokleousin.gr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history