GREECE: Transport chaos as customs and taxi drivers strike

Record ID: 339322

  • Title: GREECE: Transport chaos as customs and taxi drivers strike
  • Date: 20th February 2010
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (FEBRUARY 19 2010) (REUTERS) CAB DRIVERS GATHERED TOGETHER FOR STRIKE SIGN ON CAB READING "DONT SELL OUT THE TAXI DRIVERS" MORE OF CAB DRIVERS GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) UNNAMED TAXI DRIVER, SAYING: "We have taxes, insurance costs, fuel costs. Insurance costs have gone up to 2,000 euros a year. (There are) more than 5,500 euros in other insurance costs,
  • Embargoed: 7th March 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEJ39PC3LRBYF42C8LHQ53H9JU
  • Story Text: Signs reading "no more gas" hung on petrol pumps around the Greek capital on Friday (February 19) as gas stations ran dry due to a customs officials strike that affected the distribution of fuel and the passing of goods through customs offices at borders and ports.
    Customs officials have been on strike since Tuesday, opposed to the government's plan to cut supplemental wages - extra allowances above the regular wage - as part of its belt-tightening economic programme to reduce its massive debt.
    As several gas stations dried up, long queues were seen at stations that still had some petrol.
    Taxi drivers have joined the customs officials, striking a second time in a week over tax reforms the government will impose on their trade.
    Taxi drivers say they already have too many costs and customers are dwindling. Paying further taxes will leave little profit, they argue.
    Long lines of yellow cabs were parked on the streets in a row around a central Athens square as part of the protest.
    Public service employees from the finance ministry have also been on strike this week over a cut to supplemental wages.
    So far, no other groups have joined the strike as the general public supports the government and its economic plan. Opinion polls show the Greek people believe the measures are necessary and fair.
    But a 24-hour strike by public and private employees is planned for next week. It is seen as a test to the government's will to push through the difficult measures.
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