A prolonged strike by prison guards is causing concerns regarding security at the central prison, Phileleftheros reported on Monday.
More than 40% of the 350 wardens working at the central prison are participating in the strike, protesting over stalled wage scales.
Speaking to Phileleftheros, George Maltezos, head of the prison guards’ trade union, said that when the strike measures first began only 140 members participated but now there are more than 170. He also stressed that the indefinite strike will continue until their “fair requests,” are satisfied.
The prisons are currently staffed by guards who do not participate in the strike and work overtime.
Regarding the possibility of requisitioning Police members to serve as prison guards, Maltezos noted that every time this measure was taken, there were incidents in the prison.
For the time being there is no indication that there is ground for an agreement between the strikers and the Finance Ministry.
According to Phileleftheros, Minister Constantinos Petrides does not seem inclined to participate in any negotiation at the present stage.
