Greek PM won't bow to trucker pressure
Strikes won't disrupt haulage liberalisation, says government
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has fired a broadside against striking truck and tanker drivers by insisting that controversial plans to liberalise the country’s road freight industry would go ahead.
Papandreou said his government would not bow to pressure to abandon the policy which would effectively open up the sector to competition.
The head of the ruling centre-left Pasok party said at a cabinet meeting: “We believe that liberalising jobs is something that helps young people. Freeing-up the market opens up the possibility for better services, for cheaper services and is essential to paving the way for growth.”
Liberalising protected sectors is among a series of major reforms Papandreou’s government must implement to receive funds from Eurozone countries and the IMF under the €110 billion bail-out plan announced in May.
However, the proposed reforms have led to strikes and protests over the past few months.
Truck and fuel-tanker owners began an open-ended strike last Monday, when around 33,000 hauliers walked off the job.
The strike has depleted fuel pumps across the country, with more than 70% reportedly shut last week due to lack of fuel. The strike has also impacted the already struggling tourist industry and caused shortages of fresh produce.
Implementing a civil mobilisation order, the Greek authorities have used commandeered lorries, petrol station trucks and military vehicles to alleviate the shortages.
Papandreou said his government would not bow to pressure to abandon the policy which would effectively open up the sector to competition.
The head of the ruling centre-left Pasok party said at a cabinet meeting: “We believe that liberalising jobs is something that helps young people. Freeing-up the market opens up the possibility for better services, for cheaper services and is essential to paving the way for growth.”
Liberalising protected sectors is among a series of major reforms Papandreou’s government must implement to receive funds from Eurozone countries and the IMF under the €110 billion bail-out plan announced in May.
However, the proposed reforms have led to strikes and protests over the past few months.
Truck and fuel-tanker owners began an open-ended strike last Monday, when around 33,000 hauliers walked off the job.
The strike has depleted fuel pumps across the country, with more than 70% reportedly shut last week due to lack of fuel. The strike has also impacted the already struggling tourist industry and caused shortages of fresh produce.
Implementing a civil mobilisation order, the Greek authorities have used commandeered lorries, petrol station trucks and military vehicles to alleviate the shortages.
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