JNN 27 June  2011 : Greek unions and protesters are planning another 48-hour general strike against new austerity measures imposed by the debt-ridden government.As the Greek parliament is to vote on implementing harsh austerity measures to receive further International Monetary Fund and European Union funds, unions are planning a two-day general strike beginning on Tuesday, AFP reported.Airlines, trams, buses, banks, and administration offices are to participate in the strike by reducing their services during peak hours. Hospitals have also announced that they will have limited staff.

The strike is to take place only days after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou survived a confidence vote in the parliament.

Greece’s newly-approved austerity plan is worth some EUR 28 billion and includes a privatization program aimed at raising EUR 50 billion and further budget cuts as well as tax increases so that the government may receive further international financial assistance.

Greece has a debt of over EUR 300 billion, which is worth more than 150 percent of its annual economic output.

Anti-government demonstrations have turned violent at times, leaving scores of protesters and security forces injured. The turmoil ranged from nationwide strikes and fruitless negotiations on the formation of a national unity government to calls from opposition parties for snap elections.

Strike & Riots in Athens and other Big Cities of Greece

Clashes have erupted in the Greek capital of Athens between police and the youths protesting a parliamentary vote on new austerity measures.
Thousands of anti-government protesters have been demonstrating in central Athens outside the parliament against the new austerity program.

Riot police fired tear gas at youths throwing stones and rocks at them, according to the state-run BBC.

The protests come as unions have also begun a two-day general strike, halting most public services.

Airlines, trams, buses, banks, and administration offices have participated in the strike by reducing their services during peak hours. Hospitals have also announced that they will have limited staff.

If passed, the bill would trigger the release of EUR 12 billion (USD 17 billion) to Greece from the EU and the IMF.

Without passage of the measures, the EU and the IMF will block payment of the fifth tranche of Greece’s EUR 110 billion bailout program.

Polls suggest that between 70 percent and 80 percent of Greek people oppose the austerity plan.

The unions are angry that the government’s spending cuts will impose taxes on those with minimum wages.

“We’re opposed to what they’re trying to do to us,” said bank worker Kali Patouna.

“We know very well that these measures will be our tombstone. They will have extreme consequences for workers and for everyone on all social levels.”