Greek civil servants blocked the doors of government ministries on Thursday in protest against austerity measures, disrupting the start of talks with the EU and IMF on an aid tranche Athens needs to avoid bankruptcy. The Socialist government announced unpopular pension cuts, lay-offs and taxes last week to lure back the EU, IMF and ECB inspectors, who left Greece earlier this month over disagreements on the steps needed to plug fiscal gaps.
Dozens of finance ministry employees gathered in front of the finance ministry on Thursday to protest against the measures, shouting: "Take your bailout and leave". The protesters stopped some officials from the EU/IMF/ECB troika from entering the building, and the mission chiefs met Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos in another government office.
Civil servants also blocked the entrances of other public buildings including the interior, justice, health and agriculture ministries, a police spokesman said. "The occupations are carried out today to coincide with the return of the troika to our country and as we face new barbaric measures," public sector union ADEDY said in a statement.
Before returning and resuming talks on Thursday, the EU/IMF mission demanded written assurances from Greece that the new pledges will be met, highlighting a lack of trust after repeated failures to meet fiscal targets and foot-dragging about privatisations. Prime Minister George Papandreou urged his cabinet ministers on Thursday to step up efforts to meet EU/IMF targets.
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