Greek air traffic controllers call off strike

ATHENS: Greek air traffic controllers on Tuesday announced they would not take part in an upcoming general strike, citing a reluctance to disrupt air travel during peak tourist season.

"We decided on Monday evening to suspend our action because Greece is currently at the height of the tourist season," Anguelos Sotiropoulous, a member of the union's adminstrative council, told AFP.

Greece earns the bulk of its much needed tourism revenue in June, July and August.

The country's top private and public sector unions last month called for a general strike on June 15, to protest a new package of austerity measures proposed by the socialist government to help Greece meet its ominous loan obligations.

The European Union and International Monetary Fund are currently debating whether to offer Greece a new rescue package.

The first 110 million euro (160 billion dollars) loan, issued in May 2010, came with strict conditions that demanded major cuts to public spending to help Greece tackle its massive public debt, which currently stands at more than 150 percent of GDP.

Struggling to repay its loans, the Greek government has been forced to consider new austerity measures.

The strike set for Wednesday is expected to cause massive disruptions in sea travel, following the announced participation of marine workers.

Boats will be prevented from visiting the popular tourist islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

Schools will also be closed.

Public transport in several cities is also expected to stop for several hours at the end of the day.

The participating unions have planned a demonstration for the afternoon.

A separate protest group called the Indignants, modelled on a Spanish group of the same name, vowed to form a human chain around the parliament Wednesday, as lawmakers open debate on the new proposed austerity measures.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011