Greek pensioners protest austerity cuts
- 12 years ago
More than one thousand Greek pensioners take to the streets of Athens to protest against austerity measures.
They are demanding better pensions and cheaper healthcare, in response to government cutbacks in spending.
The issue of pensions is one of the most sensitive, since many were considered low even before the current Greek crisis.
(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PENSIONER, STAVROS VOGIATZIS, 80, SAYING:
"I have been working for 38 years in construction, and I had a pension of 704 euros, and now they dared to cut that by 15 percent. How can I not be on the streets? I am not giving them anything, not even one cent."
Some of the protesting pensioners tested police lines outside parliament.
One man fell to the ground after fainting.
The Greek government has raised taxes and reduced wages and pensions since it introduced austerity measures in 2010, angering the public and sparking protests.
On Wednesday the IMF said the country needs to move faster on reforms since it is running behind schedule and stalling economic recovery.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
They are demanding better pensions and cheaper healthcare, in response to government cutbacks in spending.
The issue of pensions is one of the most sensitive, since many were considered low even before the current Greek crisis.
(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PENSIONER, STAVROS VOGIATZIS, 80, SAYING:
"I have been working for 38 years in construction, and I had a pension of 704 euros, and now they dared to cut that by 15 percent. How can I not be on the streets? I am not giving them anything, not even one cent."
Some of the protesting pensioners tested police lines outside parliament.
One man fell to the ground after fainting.
The Greek government has raised taxes and reduced wages and pensions since it introduced austerity measures in 2010, angering the public and sparking protests.
On Wednesday the IMF said the country needs to move faster on reforms since it is running behind schedule and stalling economic recovery.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.