February 10, 2009 Militant strikers shut down Greece

Greek society living forces  were demonstrating in the streets of Athens claiming for a better and fairer life Workers and their unions are determined not to pay for the crisis which they have not created. They are resolved to continue this struggle to defeat the anti-popular measures of the government. On 10 February, tens of thousands of workers and employees both in the public and private sectors responded to the strike call of the All Workers' Militant Front (PAME), the parent organisation of class oriented trade unions in Greece. PAME staged mass rallies in 66 cities throughout the country, while 300 grass-root and regional trade union organisations decided to join the strike in protest against austerity measures announced by the PASOK government involving changes to income taxation, drastic cuts in the social security system, in particular pension schemes, freezing salaries and cutbacks in social benefits. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) expressed its full support and solidarity with the workers’ on strike. The main demands of the workers are: - stable employment for all - 7 hour working day, 5 days a week - 1 400 EUR minimum wage - retirement age at 55 for women and 60 for men, respectively 50 and 55 for hazardous professions - enhanced protection of unemployed and their families - 1120 EUR unemployment benefit for the entire period of unemployment without any conditions - free access to health care and medication - drastic increase of taxation of company profits, up to 45 % and abolition of tax relieves and privileges. Against antisocial and antipeople policies through fighting and resisting, chant the Greek demonstrators. PAME has called on workers to take part in a 24-hour nationwide strike two weeks later, on February 24 that has been called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE).