Greek strikers protest austerity measures

Underground workers in Athens were on strike for a third day on Friday, part of public transport stoppages in protest at government austerity measures.

The walkouts coincided with a visit by a team from the European Union, IMF and European Central Bank who said Greece seems to be on track with moves aimed at rescuing the debt-laden nation from bankruptcy.

In Athens there was not much sympathy for the strikers.

One woman forced to take a taxi complained: “It’s inconvenient, public transport can’t be on strike particularly when we’re in the middle of a heatwave.”

Another stranded traveller said: “They shouldn’t be striking, the current situation is difficult and this just makes things more difficult.”

Earlier in the week the Greek government unveiled a draft presidential decree making it easier for companies to fire workers and new figures were released that showed unemployment hit a 10-year high between January and March at 11.7 percent of the working population.

Greek public and private sector unions have said they will hold a general 24-hour strike on June 29.

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