ATHENS

Greek seasonal firefighters staged a protest outside the Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection in Athens on Friday to press the government to offer them permanent jobs and other benefits, and clashed with police who came to disperse them with tear gas and water cannon.

One firefighter was injured in the clash, according to local media, and police made some arrests.

More than 2,000 seasonal firefighters from all over the country participated in the rally following a call by the Panhellenic Federation of Firefighters' Associations.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "permanence now", "citizens, we'll be there for you when you need us,” and “we demand the strengthening of the firefighting body."

The ministry's location on Kifissias Avenue was shut for more than an hour, generating chaos in one of the city’s most central avenues.

Firefighters were demanding that their positions be made permanent, as well as the hiring of additional employees, among other issues.