ATHENS – It was unlawful for teachers and public transport employees to take part in a 24-hour strike June 16, a court in Athens ruled, a decision seen as backing the New Democracy's attempt to stop worker actions.

The court said strikes cannot undermine “the basic needs of society as a whole.” By excluding groups of workers from the strike, such as teachers and public transport workers, it took aim at so-called “blind” strikes, said Kathimerini, which leans in favor toward the government.

The appeal of the Education Ministry to find the strike illegal had been submitted by Education Minister Niki Kerameus, who said it will interfere with scheduled national university entrance exams.

Critics and political rivals said the government is trying to limit workers rights and tilt in favor of businesses. It wasn't clear whether the ruling could lead to strikes being barred and no indication how it would be possible to enforce that.