GREECE: Violence breaks out while Greek labour unions rebel against government reform laws with a nation-wide strike

Record ID: 341617

  • Title: GREECE: Violence breaks out while Greek labour unions rebel against government reform laws with a nation-wide strike
  • Date: 15th December 2005
  • Summary: DESERTED STATION SEEN THROUGH WIRE GRILLE
  • Embargoed: 30th December 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAUB2AZVJD50Z1OAJNRB7SQOZA
  • Story Text: A Greek nation-wide strike against a labour reform law closed schools, disrupted flights, froze ferries and trains and hit most industry and public services on Wednesday (December 14).
    The General Confederation of Greek Workers, (GSEE) representing some 2 million workers, described the 24-hour walkout as its biggest clash with any government in years, aimed at stopping a law which ends jobs for life at state firms, from passing through parliament.
    The law is part of reforms by Greece to reduce its deficit, increase the country's competitiveness and attract investment, hindered over the years by strong Greek labour unions, in an increasingly competitive European environment.
    "The message is clear: hands off collective agreements, hands off social rights," said Christos Polyzogopoulos, president of GSEE.
    Most public and private schools were closed and hospitals announced only skeleton staffing for emergencies.
    Buses, trams, and the Athens subway came to halt. Flights were cancelled at Athens airport as part of a work stoppage. The Pireaus port authority said no passenger ferries were sailing, while banks and many shops were closed in the busy capital.
    Thousands took to the streets from various age groups calling for the government to protect workers rights and concentrate on creating jobs than cutting them.
    "Things are very difficult for young people. Unemployment is continuously rising, companies are closing down, and firms are not hiring because of financial difficulties. At some point this problem has to be solved,'' said one young protester.
    "People wont see another sunny day with this government's policies. People have to rise up and defend their rights,'' said another.
    Violence broke out when hooded youths infiltrated the mass protest and began throwing petrol bombs. A police car and another vehicle were set on fire as well as rubbish bins and telephone boxes. One local cameraman was injured after being struck by the youths. Firemen and police rushed to scene to douse the fires and quell the violence.
    Economic analysts say the law launches long overdue reforms aiming at making state firms more effective in an increasingly competitive European environment.
    Emboldened by last month's successful exit plan at state telecom firm, which shed a third of its workforce, the government presented the bill to parliament this week, saying it was a watershed for restructuring the lumbering state sector.
    Facing EU sanctions unless it cuts its budget deficit to below 3 percent of economic output (GDP), Greece is eager to contain state spending. It expects the deficit to reach 4.3 of GDP this year.
    The law only affects new hires at state firms and government officials said it stops short of extending to the whole civil service for fear of strong public reaction.
    Unions say the law creates two classes of workers, those safe in their jobs and those at the mercy of management, while it makes employees pay for the mistakes of chronic bad management by the state.
    State firms' workers will continue to strike on Thursday while urban transport will hold rolling work stoppages throughout this week.
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