The nationwide federation of prison officers (OSYE) has announced a series of strike actions that commence on Tuesday and will last until Friday, in opposition to government plans for the construction of “Type C” maximum security prison facilities.
Specifically, the federation detailed that on Tuesday and Thursday the guards will walk out between 7am and 10am and then again from 3pm to 6pm, while on Friday there will be a nationwide strike. During the strike actions there will be no visitations of prisoner transfers, with the exception of transfers to court and for releases.
In its statement the federation argues that the new, controversial prison will not solve any of the serious problems and will have serious consequences. The federation cites violence, abuse, crime and overpopulation in the Greek prison system, which in turn will exacerbate the situation and cause even greater problems.
The prison officers demand that all prison employees receive dangerous and unhealthy work benefits, that the ministerial council materializes its promise to recruit 500 prison officers and to carry out an administrative reform to improve efficiency and conditions.
