Thousands of Greeks rally against austerity measures
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Thousands of Greek protesters marched in front of the parliament on Wednesday evening in one more rally against harsh austerity measures, as the government decided to dramatically reduce compensation for laid-off employees.
Chanting slogans against the measures, the cutbacks in wages and tax hikes already implemented in the past few months and the reforms on the social security system under way, employees of the public and private sector denounced once again government policies.
"IMF get out" and "They will never pass" were characteristic slogans written on banners raised by members of the unions ADEDY and GSEE, which staged similar peaceful demonstrations in the northern city of Thessaloniki and other major cities across Greece, vowing for culmination of the struggle.
The Greek government replied, as always after each protest staged this year, that the harsh measures are absolutely necessary so that Greece will get out of the severe economic crisis that has threatened the national economy with bankruptcy.
The government stressed that the reforms should be fully implemented to secure the next tranches of financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union.
A new group of EU-IMF auditors winds up on Friday the latest round of talks with Greek officials on the fiscal discipline policies and structural reforms. Based on their report the European partners and IMF will release tens of millions of euros in aid to Athens over the next three years.
In that framework of reforms, a Presidential Decree was announced on Wednesday regarding the labor market. It raises the minimum rate of lay offs per month in enterprises from 2 percent to 5 percent of the total personnel and cuts by 50 percent the compensation for laid-off employees.
The decree also decreases up to 85 percent of the current minimum wage that could be given from now on to youths under 25 years old for their first job position.
The Greek Labor Confederation rejected the decree as " unconstitutional, unacceptable and declaration of war." The Labor Confederation noted that the changes are far more austere than the ideas that are on the table for discussion with the EU-IMF experts.
Labor unions threatened to take the case to Greek or European courts, as well as the International Labor Agency, while the government plans to submit for vote next week to the Greek parliament the bill on the social security and pension system reform. Labor unions call Greeks to get out on the streets again the day the bill will be voted.
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