Greek transportation disrupted as workers protest against austerity measures

Greek transportation disrupted as workers protest against austerity measures

2010-12-09 04:11:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

ATHENS, GREECE (BNO NEWS) -- Greek transportation was severely disrupted on Wednesday as workers protested against the government's austerity plans involving the restructure of the state-run transportation companies and a reduction of subsidy payments.

According to Athens News, the Greek capital city was left without buses, subway, trolleys and the national rail services. However, ferry services to Greek islands and flights were not affected. The strike involved approximately 2,000 transport workers.

The striking workers marched to the Greek Parliament in Athens, voicing their rejection towards the measures of the Socialist government. These plans are the latest imposed by the government in return for a €110 billion ($145 billion) three-year bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Union member states.

The austerity measures imposed in Greece include cutting civil servant’s salaries, freezing pension and hiking consumer taxes. These initiatives have caused the anger of labor unions which organized a series of strikes and demonstrations.

Greek unions have called for a nationwide general strike, the seventh this year in the Mediterranean country, for December 15. The demonstration is aimed at demanding the government to ease the measures.

Greece ins currently negotiating the time-frame for repaying the loans, which are to be paid in 2013. IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday said they are considering the possibility of extending the time-frame but stressed the need for structural reforms with salary and pension cuts.

Strauss-Kahn said that if the measures proposed by the IMF are implemented without deviations, the program will be successful. He added that the success of the plan is linked to with the degree of justice that it will inspire in the people.

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