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Greece gripped by protests over labor market reform

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Greece reached the brink of default this spring and secured a multi-billion euro aid package by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund in exchange for harsh measures to fix pressing woes over a three-year period.

Greek demonstrators attend a rally in Athens, capital of Greece, Dec. 14, 2010. [Marios Lolos/Xinhua]

Protesters who gathered in front of the parliament building in the center of Athens on Tuesday to denounce the bill and the measures insisted that "there is another way" to tackle the crisis.

"We fight back those who try to steal our bread," chanted demonstrators who included employees at the Athens subway and buses, doctors of public health services who are on a five-day strike since Monday and bank employees who stage a 48-hour strike starting from Tuesday.

"Enough is enough. We will strike until victory," said one of the banners raised by protesters who staged theatrical shows in front of the parliament building.

Young people acting like "honest industrialists" asked the government to "abolish ... wages, pensions and labor rights altogether so that rich people can get richer."

The umbrella unions of public and private sector employees ADEDY and GSEE who also organize Wednesday's general strike -- the ninth this year -- called work stoppages on Tuesday, so that citizens can join the rallies.

Protesting police officers staged their own demonstration on Tuesday afternoon in front of the old parliament building over cutbacks on wages, allowances, tax hikes and pension system reform policies which also affect them.

Wednesday's strike is expected to paralyze the public sector and disrupt a part of the private sector, as schools, airports, ports, courts and public services will not run. Journalists and taxi drivers will also join the general strike this time.

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