Greek people act on government's tight measures

Toronto News.Net
Wednesday 24th February, 2010

Greece has virtually closed down with hundreds of thousands of people on strike to protest at the imposition of government austerity measures.

In a bid to save the economy, the Greek government has introduced cuts to bring the country's debt under control.

The country is currently spiralling into a public deficit more than four times higher than eurozone rules allow.

The government has pledged to cut the deficit from over 12% to 8.7% this year, and also reduce the national debt by freezing public sector salaries, raising the retirement age to 63 by 2015, and increasing taxes on petrol, alcohol and tobacco.

As a result of the strike, Greece's airspace will be closed to all flights, all public transport will come to a standstill, public schools, ministries, municipal offices and archaeological and tourist sites will close.

Many hospitals will operate only with emergency staffing.

The country's two largest trade union groups, the private sector GSEE and the public sector ADEDY, have fiercely opposed the government's austerity strategies and will be holding public demonstrations through many cities, including the capital, Athens.

Have your say on this story