New Greece austerity move prompts strikes and protests

22 September 2011 08:24 am Views - 2413

Greece is being hit by a 24-hour public transport strike in the latest protest against government austerity measures. Train, bus and taxi services have been crippled and air traffic controllers will stop work for several hours. There will also be a mass protest of public sector workers later in Athens.


The government has toughened its measures, cutting pensions further and suspending more civil servant posts.

It says this must be done to receive a vital 8bn-euro (£6.9bn) tranche of aid.

This is the latest segment of a 110bn euro ($150bn) package of loans established by eurozone countries and the IMF to help Greece pay its huge debts.
The government says its tougher measures are an attempt to secure the continued backing of international creditors and prevent a default on debt payment. (Source: BBC)