Huge piles of trash are mounting across Greece, sparking concerns over a health hazard as garbage collectors continue a nation-wide strike to demand job security.

The country is in the midst of the tourist season, and tourists are side-stepping the rubbish piles in Piraeus, Athens main commercial port where cruise ships dock and ferries carry thousands of passengers to the Greek islands.

The situation has been made worse by a 40-degree temperature in Athens.

Talks between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the garbage collector's union yesterday failed to end the strike action, which began last week.

The union wants contract workers to be given permanency, fearing job losses. But Greece is in its seventh year of economic austerity reforms demanded by international creditors, which include cutbacks and tight budgets.

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