GREECE: Greeks bear another day of transport strikes as uncertainty and rumours about their economic future grow

Record ID: 340437

  • Title: GREECE: Greeks bear another day of transport strikes as uncertainty and rumours about their economic future grow
  • Date: 28th September 2011
  • Summary: EXTERIOR OF METRO STATION VARIOUS ENTRANCE TO CLOSED METRO STATION SIGN ANNOUNCING 24-HOUR STRIKE VARIOUS OF PARKED BUSES VARIOUS OF PARKED TROLLEYS VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC AT MOTORWAY
  • Embargoed: 13th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece, Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA3LLVXXM2MS8MEDDQVMU6X9UNU
  • Story Text: Greeks woke up to another day of strikes on Tuesday (September 27) as lawmakers were expected to approve an unpopular property tax to open the way for the return of inspectors from Greece's bailout lenders and the release of vital aid, despite growing anger among austerity-hit Greeks.
    Bus, tram and metro services were paralysed as taxis and buses were expected to halt on Tuesday afternoon. Tax collectors themselves will begin a 48-hour stoppage in protest against the property tax and other new austerity measures.
    Local residents in Athens said the future was bleak for Greece.
    "Unfortunately we are already bankrupted, we can feel it. What change can we expect? Unfortunately only for the worse. I cannot foresee anything different. We are desperate. Very desperate," Athens resident Maria Voltsou said as she struggled to get to work.
    Nikos Katsocheras, a 37-year old private sector worker said: "What I notice is that every time they discuss something, it happens after a while. So, since they are now talking about this (haircut), I believe it will happen. It is unavoidable. I believe it will be controlled. We cannot be more frightened than we are now, because our income and our standard of life have been reduced. There is nothing more to be afraid of."
    Newspaper headlines focusing on rumours regarding upcoming tax increases and the economic approach of the future government read: 'Now haircut to non-taxable income,' and 'Twenty percent reduction in wages and pensions.' Greece, the country at the epicentre of the European debt crisis, is trying to secure its latest payment from international lenders including the IMF next month to avoid a default.
    German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou were set to meet in Berlin on Tuesday for talks on implementation of economic reforms.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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