For Greeks, burgeoning gig economy means low wages, long hours

Delivery worker Vassilis, 24, poses for a picture after an interview with Reuters in Athens, Greece June 25, 2019.REUTERS/Costas Baltas

ATHENS (Reuters) - When he set up his own business washing boats and cars on the Greek island of Skyros nearly a decade ago, 42-year old Nikos Vourliotis was a young man with dreams and aspirations.

Then the reality of Greece's austerity regime kicked in. A stipulation by debt-laden authorities that he should pay his annual tax bill upfront killed the business. Now, he has joined the growing ranks of Greeks in a precarious "gig economy" working long hours for low wages and no job security.