Greek riot police in confrontation with Acropolis strikers

Riot police today confronted protesting government workers who have shut down the Acropolis, Athens’ most popular tourist site.

As groups of bemused tourists looked on, the culture ministry workers blockaded the gates of the Acropolis entrance for the second day today. They are demanding months of back pay and the renewal of short-term contracts that are due to expire.

Police in riot gear gathered outside the entrance, waiting for an order to force open the gate that has been padlocked by the protesting workers.

Dozens of tourists hoping to see Greece’s most famous monument looked on.

Greece is in the middle of a tough austerity program that has cut public workers’ salaries and trimmed pensions because of the country severe debt crisis.