Athens workers strike over civil service cutbacks

Municipal workers in Athens have gone on strike in protest at government plans to reduce the number of civil servants, a measure demanded by Greece’s international creditors to approve the next instalment of bailout loans for the country.

The eurozone’s finance ministers are meeting in Brussels later today and will consider releasing the funds.

International Monetary Fund representative Poul Thomsen and Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said yesterday that they were “hoping” for a final agreement between Greece and its creditors – the IMF, European Central Bank and European Commission – before the meeting.

The government is seeking to put 12,500 civil servants on administrative leave by the end of 2013, with the possibility of dismissal. Those targeted include school security personnel, Athens municipal police, local government employees, teachers and various ministry employees.