Greek Workers March On Parliament To Oppose Austerity Measur

14 years ago
Politicians in Greece are debating reforms aimed at cost cutting in regional administrations. Angry municipal workers marched on parliament to voice their opposition.

The demonstrators had a brief confrontation with police as they attempted to get to the parliament building in Athens. But they found their way hampered by roadblocks and police in riot gear.

Athens refuse collectors joined the protest. They closed off the street in front of parliament with a convoy of garbage trucks.

The municipal workers are opposed to government plans to cut the number of municipalities in an attempt to curb public waste.

The government wants to merge the administrations of cities, towns and villages in a programme named "Kallikratis". This programme would mean job losses.

Measures taken as part of the country's stringent austerity plan also include cuts to public wages, and cuts to pension benefits.

The EU and the IMF are closely watching Greece as it carries out the reforms. The reforms are a condition of the almost 135 billion dollar bail-out deal.

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