Greek labour unions stage new protests

Austerity Measures Bill approved:

GREECE: Greek labour unions called on people to take part in two more protests on Thursday afternoon in the centre of Athens, while the Bill on the new austerity measures was passed by Parliament.

In the worst outbreak of violence in two years, Athens sank into chaos on Wednesday and three employees in a bank which was set on fire by anarchists died. Calling on people “not to fear”, labor unions close to Left parties asked Greeks to get out on the streets again on Thursday to fight for their rights against belt-tightening measures.

The socialist Government announced on Sunday a new package of measures to secure a 110 billion Euros ( 145 billion US dollars) financial aid by other Eurozone member states and the International Monetary Fund. The funds were deemed essential so that Greece can get a breathing space, meet short-term financing needs and ultimately cut a huge budget deficit and put its economy in order, as fears for a domino effect of the crisis across Europe increased.

In Athens on Wednesday evening fears for more violence culminated, as PAME which is connected with the Greek Communist Party announced that it would organize a demonstration in Omonia square on Thursday, while groups close to the SYRIZA coalition plan to encircle the parliament building the same time. Athens, Thursday, Xinhua