Disruption in Greek public sector
There is mass disruption in the Greek public sector today which has affected transport, hospitals and emergency staff up and down the country. Yet again there is friction between the Greek public sector workforce and the Greek government as they attempt to push through massive budget cuts under the auspicious or the European Union financial bailout. Should we be concerned about the new disputes?
There is no way that the move to reduce the Greek budget deficit will be smooth and uneventful but today's countrywide strike action has literally paralyzed the country. There is also talk of hardline union members attempting to prevent tourists from entering some of the country's busiest ports which is also causing friction and will at some stage bring the police into play. While there is no doubt that the public sector workforce will suffer significant cuts in their benefits and their salaries in the short to medium term, in many ways the Greek government's hands are tied.
There has been a growing belief that the Greek budget deficit has been spiralling out of control for many years and many weren't surprised by the recent collapse of the economy. However, there is no quick fix solution for the Greek government and the Greek budget deficit and while today's disruptions will further taint the reputation of the country they are unlikely to be the last disruptions the Greek population and Greek tourists will suffer.
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