Hundreds of seasonal firefighters in Greece protested on Thursday to demand permanent positions as their contracts expired following a brutal wildfire season, Paralel.Az reports citing Euronews.

The protesters, who gathered outside the civil protection ministry in Athens, represent about 2,500 firefighters whose short-term contracts ended Thursday, leaving them unemployed until the next wildfire season begins in May.

Union representatives say that climate change means the risk of wildfires in Greece has extended beyond the May-October period, requiring a year-round firefighting capability.