OREANDA-NEWS  Ferry services were paralyzed in Greece on Thursday due to a strike called by the All-Greek Maritime Federation.

"We continue to fight for the restoration of contracts with all dismissed employees, for the abolition of "gray" work schemes and the signing of collective labor agreements for workers of all categories of maritime transport," the federation said in a statement timed to coincide with the strike.

In addition, the protesters call for an end to violations of work schedules, and also insist on the need to improve medical care for maritime transport workers.

They were joined by railway workers, and a demonstration dedicated to the May Day holiday was held in Athens at the call of the two main trade union associations. About seven thousand people took part in it.