Greek unrest looks likely to continue

Date: 20/02/1997

By Simon Coss

THE wave of strikes in Greece sparked by the government's hard-line budget aimed at preparing the country for EMU looks set to continue, with neither side showing any sign of giving ground.

Greek ministers made it clear last week that while they were prepared to talk to trade unionists, there was no more money to meet their demands.

The statement from Prime Minister Costas Simitis' cabinet came as Greek teachers voted to continue their nationwide strike.

Earlier this month, Simitis persuaded angry farmers who had been blocking the country's roads since mid-December to back down. But they are threatening new protests in March.

Late last month, Greek seamen ended a ten-day strike after the government agreed to discuss their demands for increased pensions, better unemployment provisions and lower taxes. But they warned of further action if they did not get what they wanted.

The move coincided with a strike by Greece's biggest labour union, GSSE, which affected trains, buses, flights, and the construction, heavy industry and textile sectors.

Many of the country's historic monuments are also closed because of a strike by culture ministry officials.

The controversial budget, introduced in early December, aims to ensure the country qualifies for the euro-zone by 2001 by cutting state expenditure on jobs, abolishing most tax exemptions and imposing new taxes on workers.