Athens Bakers to Mobilize Against Cost of Living Crisis

Bakers in Athens are set to rally on Wednesday, June 17, at 7:00 PM in Monastiraki Square, responding to a call from the Attica Federation of Artisan Associations. The protest aims to highlight the severe economic pressures facing the baking sector.

The union representing bakers points to escalating energy costs, rising raw material prices, and significant tax burdens as critical factors pushing many small businesses to the brink. These conditions have severely impacted the daily operations of bakeries across the city.

According to the union, insufficient government measures have been taken to support these businesses and combat the cost of living crisis. They express strong opposition to current government policies regarding energy and taxation.

Key demands include price caps on oil, natural gas, and electricity, along with the abolition of special consumption tax and VAT on energy. Bakers also call for the elimination of the energy exchange market's influence. Additionally, they seek an end to presumptive taxation and advance tax payments for micro-enterprises, a €12,000 tax-free threshold, and the removal of VAT on essential consumer goods. Protections against property auctions for primary residences and small business premises are also requested.

Further demands encompass the creation of a special, unseizable professional bank account for micro-businesses, favorable debt restructuring plans with tax and social security authorities, the cancellation of pandemic-era surcharges and debts to the social security fund, and social support measures like free healthcare, unconditional maternity benefits, and the restoration of 13th and 14th pensions.