希腊工会发动反紧缩大罢工

 

Wednesday's 24-hour walkout is to protest at new planned spending cuts of more than 11.5bn euros.

 

The savings² are a pre-condition to Greece receiving its next tranche（部分，一期款项） of bailout funds, without which the country could face bankruptcy³ in weeks.

 

Large anti-austerity demonstrations⁴ are also planned.

 

Greece needs the next 31bn-euro instalment of its international bailout, but with record unemployment and a third of Greeks pushed below the poverty line, there is strong resistance to further cuts.

 

The government of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is also proposing to slash⁵ pensions and raise the retirement⁶ age to 67.

 

 

Workers from a diverse range of sectors⁷ are taking part in the strike, from doctors to air traffic controllers.

 

It was called by the country's two biggest unions, which between them represent half the workforce⁸.

 

A survey conducted by the MRB polling agency last week found that more than 90% of Greeks believed the planned cuts were unfair and a burden on the poor.

 

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says that, with demonstrations planned, many people fear a repeat of the violence that has hit the streets in previous protests.

 

Thousands of police have been deployed⁹ in the centre of Athens to prevent a flare-up.

 

Greece is currently trying to qualify for the next instalment of its 130bn-euro bailout, which is backed by the IMF and the other 16 euro nations.

 

The country was given a 110bn-euro package in May 2010 and a further 130bn euros in October 2011, but correspondents say its neighbours are reluctant to stump¹⁰ up more money.

 

Greece needs the next tranche of its bailout to make repayments¹¹ on its debt burden. A default could result in the country leaving the euro.

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