Greek unions call general strike for 26 September
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Greece's largest labour unions has called a general strike for 26 September, responding to a major new government austerity package that is expected to worsen hardship in the recession-hit country.
The date of the 24-hour strike was decided today, a General Confederation of Greek Labor spokeswoman said, adding that the strike would be joined by a civil servants' union.
Rescue creditors are demanding that Greece's conservative-led government slashes a further € 11.5 billion ($14.8 billion) in budget costs over the next two years — resulting in a new round of wage and pension cuts that the country's three-month-old coalition government had promised to avoid.
Negotiations over the new cuts have been stalled by disagreements between the government and international debt inspectors over proposed new labor law concessions. The inspectors from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund — collectively known as the troika.
The leaders of three political parties are also at odds over the proposed changes, with two minority parties insisting that that they will not accept any public sector firings or further cuts to the minimum wage.
"One thing that has not been made sufficiently clear — and it would be good if the troika understands this — is that labor costs in Greece are already very low," government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou told private Mega television.
"This is a complex package ... Everything is up for negotiation."
AP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments