Seasonal firefighters, protesting at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, are seeking permanent positions within the Fire Service following the expiration of their five-year contracts signed in 2019, which ended on October 31. They also call for 12-month employment, as their seasonal roles currently run from May to October each year.
Riot police used tear gas against demonstrators who had entered the Ministry after a prolonged protest, refusing to leave after the deadline set by the police had passed.
Earlier, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Ministry, many in their work uniforms. They represented around 2,500 seasonal firefighters whose short-term contracts expired Thursday, leaving them unemployed until May.
One journalist was arrested, at least three firefighters were injured, and four were detained.
Evangelos Tsoukalas, head of the Union of Seasonal Firefighters of Greece, told the Associated Press that many members with six or more years of experience were unable to apply for positions in special firefighting units opened this year because of the age limit set at 35.
“There is an age limit for these positions, and now our contracts are ending, so they’re letting us go as seasonal firefighters,” Tsoukalas said.
The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vasilis Kikilias, announced he would meet with them on Wednesday, November 6, while seasonal firefighters are also holding a demonstration today at Syntagma Square.
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