Scientists and researchers across Greece are taking part in a 24-hour nationwide strike today, Thursday, May 29, demanding stable employment and sufficient funding. The mobilization is supported by ADEDY (the Civil Servants’ Confederation), responding to a call from the Panhellenic Federation of Research Center Employees (POEEK-I) and affiliated unions.
Protesters decry the long-standing degradation of public research, inadequate funding, insecure employment, and the disconnect between research centers and the academic community. They are also voicing strong opposition to the militarization of science, calling instead for secure work contracts, significant budget increases, equal rights for all, and a socially focused research agenda.
ADEDY highlighted the urgent need for institutional upgrades and a research framework that serves societal needs. It emphasized that Greece’s public universities and research centers remain underfunded, understaffed, and administratively mismanaged. Research infrastructures are outdated, while nearly two-thirds of researchers work under precarious conditions with low pay and short-term contracts.
Key demands include increased funding for universities and research institutions; immediate hiring to fill vacant posts; restoration of the 13th and 14th salaries; fair collective labor agreements; full-time contracts for all research staff; and an end to discriminatory employment practices. Additional demands focus on workplace safety, maternity protection, and contract renewals for those facing health issues.
