Last year China took over operations at the Port of Piraeus, and the use of union labor plummeted.
With the Greek government promising a multi-billion-pound privatisation programme, there are certainly opportunities for governments and companies with money to spend.
But union leaders like Sotiris Poulikoyiannis worry that Greece may be forced to sell off the family silver at knockdown prices.
“We’re all trying to learn Chinese now,” he says with only half a smile.
There is no union recognition in the Chinese-run port, and for the mechanics and metal-workers whose lives have been built around the ship repair yards, times are hard.
About 20% of union members have had their electricity cut off at home. Some have had water supplies cut off as well. Rather like their country, they are struggling to pay the bills.
“We get 90 euros a day including overtime,” Mr Poulikoyiannis says, pointing at a hand-written chart pinned to the wall.
“And if people get five days of work a month, they think that’s a good month.”
Read the full report at the BBC
See also: