48-Hour Strike Announced at Hellinikon Construction Site Following Fatal Accident

December 8, 2025, ATHENS. The major urban redevelopment project at the former Hellinikon Airport site in Athens has been overshadowed by another workplace tragedy. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, a migrant construction worker—reportedly aged 25–27 and from Egypt—died after falling from the second floor of a building under construction in the "Little Athens" residential section of the project, developed by LAMDA Development.

LAMDA Development issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident, extending condolences to the worker's family, and emphasizing that worker safety and health management adhere to Greek legislation and international standards, which remain a top priority.

The Workers' Union at the Hellinikon site responded swiftly, describing the death as an "employer's crime" linked to intense work schedules, overtime (including the 13-hour shifts and weekend work), profit-driven deadlines, and insufficient safety measures. Union representatives highlighted ongoing minor accidents and near-misses, likening the site to a "Tempi" (a reference to Greece's deadliest train crash). They noted a previous fatal incident at a related site (METKA Rivera Galleria) just the prior weekend.

Valsamos Syrigos, President of the Workers' Union, stated at the scene: "This is the result of intensification, 13–14-hour days without rest, all to meet company targets. The responsibility lies with the government, LAMDA, and major employers. Standard safety measures are not applied, and workers are treated like modern-day helots."

In response:

• The union has called a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, December 9.
• This will extend to a 48-hour stoppage by joining the nationwide construction-sector strike on Wednesday, December 10 (with participation from electricians and technicians).
• The Workers' Union has also declared a separate 48-hour strike (December 9–10) for Line 4 of the Athens Metro.

The union demands thorough investigations into recent fatalities, punishment of those responsible, better safety protocols, enforceable working hours (7-hour day/35-hour week), and livable wages.

This incident adds to ongoing concerns about labor conditions at large-scale Greek construction projects amid rapid development.