Greek army eases gasoline shortage

Strike effects
After the several days of strikes by tanker and lorry drivers, the Greek government has now crackdown: They ordered that the Army is to provide the service stations in the country with gasoline. They also announced a regulation that requires the driver to the service. On the holiday island of Rhodes, Naxos and Chios arrived on Saturday already first fuel deliveries. Soldiers supplied mainly with airports, hospitals and gas stations of fuel. Police escorted the tanker on its way to refineries and through toll booths, where striking lorry drivers wanted to block the supply. Occasionally attacked strikers to vehicles. are problems with a lack of fuel is still in the north of Greece and Crete.
Drivers want to strike more
Since Monday strike some 30,000 Greek tanker and truck drivers. At the gas stations are therefore hardly gasoline. In the Greek holiday resorts since then sit down thousands of tourists in the hotels. They can use their rental and camping, because the tank is empty. Many of the cars were just standing there, where they were lying. Many ferries were in port. Tour operators called on the government to do something, so the industry does not collapse.

In the shops the gaps can not be overlooked especially in fresh produce. One end of the strike, however, is not in sight. The driver decided to ignore the service obligation of the government in Athens. In Thessaloniki, it was already starting to show excesses between tanker owners and the police.
Fight for drivers' licenses
The strike is against an EU decision on "opening of closed professions". Background: In Greece, after almost 40 years to break back driver's licenses are issued. They cost depending on the size of trucks up to 300,000 €. But because for decades, no new licenses were awarded, the value of existing licenses rose to a multiple. This should be changed by the granting of new licenses now. As a result, this means that every truck owner should also work as drivers.
Unions complain against austerity
In connection with the austerity of the Greek government, the unions prefer the highest administrative court in the country. By its action, they want to avoid that the achievements of earlier generations workers withdrawn. The savings program infringes the rights of workers, is their argument.
The government aims to save in two years around 30 billion euros, thus reducing the financial deficit of 300 billion €. Therefore, wages and salaries were reduced by officials and removed the Christmas bonus. The tax rose from 19 to 23 percent. The retirement age was raised from 58 to 65 years.
Last updated: 31 July 2010, 19:23 clock