In Athens, a significant labor action unfolded on November 20, as thousands of workers took part in a nationwide general strike for 24 hours, advocating for better wages and expressing their grievances regarding the rising cost of living. This protest occurred simultaneously with the government's presentation of the 2025 budget to Parliament, amplifying the workers' demands for change.

The strike, organized by unions representing both public and private sector employees, had a considerable impact on essential services, causing widespread disruption in public transportation and halting maritime operations. Many medical personnel, educators, and public sector workers joined the action, highlighting increasing dissatisfaction with stagnant pay against a backdrop of growing inflation rates.

Large crowds gathered in different cities, with approximately 12,000 individuals marching in central Athens and another 5,000 in Thessaloniki. Demonstrators voiced their demands for wage increases and the reinstatement of collective wage agreements that were diminished during Greece's financial crisis.

Leaders from labor organizations, such as Yannis Panagopoulos from the General Confederation of Workers of Greece, emphasized the urgency of their situation, stating that employees feel no viable option to manage the high cost of living other than through wage increases, as their incomes remain unchanged since the era of austerity measures.

Greece experienced a severe financial crisis starting in 2010, which adversely impacted the economy and resulted in significant austerity measures following international bailouts. Although the country has shown signs of economic recovery and regained investment-grade status, it continues to grapple with the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU, leaving many workers still feeling the pinch of stagnant wages.

Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, expressed her support for Greek workers, emphasizing the necessity for better pay and binding agreements to ensure fair compensation for work performed. Unions have criticized the current government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for its inadequate response to inflation and housing challenges, which continue to diminish living standards for many citizens.