Tax Workers Strike in Greece

Workers on strike following salary cuts and job losses.

Greek tax officials began a two day strike this morning shutting down tax offices for 2011’s final working days. Tax workers are protesting job and salary cuts imposed by the previous government. According to the union, 5,500 tax office jobs were cut and thousands of others were suspended on reduced pay following austerity measures demanded by international creditors. After receiving multi-billion dollar bailouts, the Greek government increased taxes and cut pensions in an attempt to reduce their public debt. Just yesterday, two prosecutors leading a task force against tax evasion suddenly resigned claiming interference with their work. Another prosecutor at the Supreme Court has ordered an investigation into their claims.