Portuguese diplomats in Switzerland on strike

Portuguese diplomats in Switzerland are striking against austerity measures and the franc's rise, which have lowered their salary by 30 percent in a few months, local media reported Tuesday. An answering machine was the only response AFP obtained from the Portuguese embassy.
According to Swiss daily La Tribune de Geneve, the monthly salaries of the 56 Portuguese diplomats in the country have fallen from 4,500 to 3,000 francs (2,540 euros) after their government's recent decision to lower all public salaries by 10 percent and the rise of the franc against the euro. The Swiss franc, considered a safe haven currency, has been rising throughout the year as investors fled economic turmoil abroad. At its peak earlier in August it was up around 20 percent against the euro compared to 2009.