Police hold a seasonal firefighter outside Greece's Civil Protection Ministry during a protest to demand permanent positions as their contracts expire following a grueling wildfire season, in Athens Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.
FIREFIGHTERS have clashed with police in Greece during a protest to demand permanent positions for seasonal workers following a demanding wildfire season.
Riot police used tear gas to clear protesters out of the Civil Protection Ministry building on on Thursday night after they staged an hours-long sit-in and refused to leave.
At least one seasonal firefighter and one officer were injured.
Video footage on X showed police also attacking a journalist from the left-wing Rizospastis newspaper.
Protests continued today as thousands gathered outside the parliament building in Athens.
The short-term contracts of about 2,500 firefighters ended on Thursday, leaving them unemployed until possible rehiring next May.
Seasonal firefighters typically serve from May through October, but union representatives argue that climate change means that a year-round firefighting capability is now required.
Seasonal Firefighters Association of Greece leader Evangelos Tsoukalas said that many of members with six or more years of experience had been barred from applying for positions in special firefighting units opened this year because the age limit has been set at 35.
