Hundreds of seasonal firefighters protested outside the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection on Thursday, demanding better job security and an end to age discrimination.
The protest comes just as their contracts expired, leaving them unemployed after battling what officials have called the most challenging fire season in decades.
The firefighters, whose contracts run from May to October, want their seasonal positions converted to full-year employment.
They argue that their skills are vital in a country increasingly prone to wildfires, and the current system forces them to seek other jobs or rely on unemployment benefits during the off-season.
"We are being thrown out," said Evangelos Tsoukalas, head of the Seasonal Firefighters’ Association of Greece.
He highlighted the frustration of experienced firefighters who are barred from applying for specialized roles due to an age limit of 35.
The protesters also criticized the government for thousands of unfilled vacancies within the fire service, which they say hinders the country's ability to effectively combat wildfires.
In response, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias promised to meet with firefighter representatives next Wednesday to discuss their concerns.
He acknowledged the challenges of the past fire season, which saw record-breaking temperatures and widespread blazes across Greece.
Both Kikilias and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have described 2024 as the toughest fire season in 40 years, with over 440,000 acres burned across the country.
Mr.Mitsotakis warned that Greece will likely face increasingly frequent and intense wildfires due to the climate crisis.
The firefighters' protest underscores the growing concerns about wildfire preparedness and the need for a more stable and experienced firefighting workforce in Greece.