Strike Action Likely to Increase Following New Austerity Measures

On 3 March 2010 the Greek government approved new austerity measures aimed at increasing public revenue and cutting the country's spiraling budget deficit. The measures include a 30 percent cut to bonuses for public workers and an increase in the value-added-tax, as well as taxes on tobacco and alcohol. Protests have increased in frequency in Greece since the government first announced plans to introduce austerity measures, and the latest round of spending cuts and tax increases is expected to fuel additional actions by labor unions and other groups. Taxi drivers continued a two-day strike on 3 March, halting taxis in Athens and other cities. Drivers organized the stoppage to protest a government plan that would force them to issue receipts and keep accounts in order, and would change the way taxes are levied on the drivers. Meanwhile, Greece's largest public sector union will stage a one-day strike on 16 March, and has also announced plans to hold rallies on 8 and 12 March to protest the new measures. Previous strikes by the organization were joined by air traffic controllers, which significantly impacted domestic and international flights to and from Greek airports.