The "anti-labour" measures are being planned as part of the Athens government's efforts to reform the economy and meet conditions of its international bailout.

Greece has been reliant on rescue loans from three successive multi-billion euro bailouts from the International Monetary Fund and other Eurozone countries. In return, creditors have demanded a series of reforms and the country's handling of its finances is under strict supervision by international debt inspectors.

The strike action appears to have scuppered government attempts to charter at least one ro-pax to house a minimum 1,000 refugees who remained without shelter after a fire destroyed their camp 'hot spot' camp of Moria, on the Aegean island of Lesvos September 19.

The Shipping and island Policy ministry, invited offers early September 20 setting the tightest of deadlines: Interested providers had to fill out a form detailing their offer by 20 September 9.30 pm Athens time.

The one-month charter was set to start on September 21 with an option for a further one-month extension. The tight deadline was spurred by the chaos in Lesvos in the wake of the fire plus the looming 48-hour strike. The vessel had to get to the island before the strike began.

In just five hours of negotiations with two interested parties, a deal was reached with one, which later in the day failed to turn-up to sign the contract. No details have been released about the negotiations but their failure led to a new call for bids for September 23.

A meeting between the general secretariat of the Shipping ministry with local mayors and administrators called for the immediate decongestion of Lesvos, but emphasised a chartered ferry would only be used as a hosting place and not a permanent solution.