- Title: GREECE: Market traders strike over government measures
- Date: 14th April 2010
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (APRIL 13, 2010) (REUTERS) FRUIT STALLS SET UP IN A ROW NEXT TO FINANCE MINISTRY WITH BANNERS HANGING OVERHEAD ABOUT PROTEST STRIKING MARKET VENDORS STANDING AROUND THEIR STALLS FILLED WITH FRUIT PEOPLE GATHER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON VIEW OF FRUIT AND PRODUCE STALL IN A ROW FRUIT PILED UP IN ONE STALL VARIOUS OF STRIKING VENDORS AROUND THEIR STALLS VARIOUS OF MARKET VENDORS HANDING OUT FREE FRUIT TO PEOPLE PASSING BY (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PANDELIS MASKAS, PRESIDENT OF MARKET VENDORS ASSOCIATION SAYING: "We are against having to impose new taxes on the consumer because then the products will become too expensive and we won't be able to make any sales at the markets." VENDORS IN FRONT OF THEIR BASKETS OF FRUIT, PEOPLE PASSING BY LOOKING AT WHAT THEY ARE DOING VENDOR HANDS OUT FRUIT TO A WOMAN WIDE VIEW OF PRODUCE STALLS SET UP WITH FRUIT NEXT TO MINISTRY PILES OF FRUIT ON STALLS
- Embargoed: 29th April 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Greece
- Country: Greece
- Topics: Economic News
- Reuters ID: LVA7R04DWVBBBTVAQNQM46CEMFNE
- Story Text: Market vendors set up their fruit stalls next to the Finance Ministry on Tuesday (April 13) handing out free fruit to protest the government's economic reforms, as curious onlookers stopped to view the strange sight in downtown Athens.
The vendors are opposed to tax reforms as part of the government economic austerity plan which includes the issuing of receipts, the keeping of account books, and the increase in value added tax.
Vendors transformed the busy commercial street next to the Finance Ministry into a fruit and produce market.
The protest is part of a two day strike by the vendors, who work in the country's open produce markets. The vendors are the latest group to call a brief strike over the economic measures in the last two months. Taxi drivers have also called a third 48 hour strike for the next days, as well as lawyers who will stay away for three days from their duties. These groups are also opposed to the tax reforms.
Greece's largest public servants union is planning a two day strike next week, its fourth since the measures were announced.
Greece must push through with its austerity plan and measures that include the cutting of civil service benefits and bonuses and changes to the tax system.
Greece was given a sigh of relief on Sunday (April 11) after being battered by markets when the European Union approved a 30 billion euro aid package for the country if it has trouble paying its massive debt. But the European Union is watching closely on whether Greece will implement the tough measures it has announced to deal with its debt crisis, and will not waver to protests. Striking groups say the measures will lower consumers spending power. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None