- Title: GREECE: A NATIONWIDE FARMERS BLOCKADE GETS SUPPORT FROM OTHER WORKERS GROUPS
- Date: 12th December 1996
- Summary: ATHENS AND TEMBI, GREECE (DECEMBER 12, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) ATHENS 1. TV OF PROTESTERS IN SQUARE. 0.06 2. SV/MCU SPEAKER AT RALLY ADDRESSING THEM (4 SHOTS) 0.27 3. LV/SV PROTESTERS MARCHING IN STREETS CHANTING ABOUT WORKERS RIGHTS (7 SHOTS) 1.00 4. SV POLICE WATCHING MARCHERS 1.05 TEMBI 5. LV/SV FARMERS' TRACTORS BLOCKING ROAD, FARMERS SITTING AROUND FIRE (3 SHOTS) 1.18 6. SV TRACTORS ON ROAD, TRUCK IN BACKGROUND (2 SHOTS) 1.30 7. LV/SV OF TRUCKS ON ROADS, DRIVERS SITTING AROUND TRUCKS, DRIVERS EATING MEAL BY SIDE OF TRUCKS/TRUCK DRIVERS WALKING BETWEEN LINES OF TRUCKS (7 SHOTS) 2.02 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 27th December 1996 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ATHENS AND TEMBI, GREECE
- City:
- Country: Greece
- Reuters ID: LVA7H7LRN8QJ2CQE3CXEHADXRGPS
- Story Text: INTRO: A nationwide farmers blockade that has cut the Greek transport network in half has been drawing support from other workers groups as construction workers staged marches around the country.
Marches took place on Thursday (December 12) in Athens and the central town of Larissa, the centrepoint of a farmers' protest, in support of the farmers' blockade which has lasted two weeks.
The demonstrations were in reaction to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' unwielding stance on economic reform. Austerity measures have enraged farmers who have placed thousands of tractors on roads across the country, paralysing transport.
State doctors, teachers, public servants, customs workers and even Greek diplomats have joined in protests this week, halting work, marching through Athens or staging rallies.
The two biggest labour confederations have called a one-day nationwide strike for next week and many unions have declared a three-day stoppage at that time.
Farmers have set up nearly 100 blocks on roads around the country demanding higher prices and lower fuel costs.
Simitis, who left Greece on Wednesday to attend theEuropean Union summit in Dublin said satisfying farmer's demands would pose a threat to the economy.
The blockades have cut transport links and trapped hundreds of international lorry drivers who were passing through Greece with goods for Greek and foreign markets. Many drivers were anxious to reach their homes for the Christmas holidays, but realised they would probably remain in a traffic jam instead.
According to Greek news reports, farmers at one junction near the northern city of Salonika have allowed some of the lorries to pass as a goodwill gesture.
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