Greek unions threaten more strikes

Greek labour unions are threatening further strikes next week, a day after parliament approved harsh cutbacks amid mass protests and riots that left one man dead and about 200 injured.

Ilias Iliopoulos, secretary-general of the Adedy umbrella civil servant union, said the new law “will not be implemented” and accused the governing Socialists of ignoring popular dissent.

More than 150,000 people took to the streets of Athens on Wednesday and yesterday during a two-day general strike against the cutbacks. Police arrested about 20 people following extensive rioting on both days.

The new measures include further pension and state salary reductions, civil service staff cuts and a reduction in the tax-free threshold.

Greek ferry seamen, municipal workers and nurses are on strike today.