Unionists storm Labor Ministry in Greece

By Tony Rigopoulos

ATHENS (AA) - Members of the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) smashed their way into the Ministry of Labor in Athens during a demonstration against a proposed government bill.

According to the protesters, the bill will constrain their right to strike.

When the protesters arrived at the Ministry of Labor, the PAME representatives requested a meeting with Labor Minister Efi Achtsioglou.

Their request reportedly remained unanswered by the ministry officials and the protesters reacted by breaking the police cordon as well as the ministry's glass door and entered the premises.

A group of PAME unionists then went to the minister's office, where she was reportedly meeting with Deputy Labor Minister Theano Fotiou. Both women were seen leaving the room after having a brief heated discussion with the protesters.

Unionists also altered the ministry’s sign from “Ministry of Social Insurance and Social Solidarity” to “Ministry of IMF-EU-Employers”.

PAME organized the protest after the Greek government announced to launch a bill set to facilitate the third review of the Greek program with its lenders.

The bill will be put to vote by the Greek parliament on Monday, following a fast track procedure.

Besides reducing the ability of unions to call a strike, the bill also brings changes in welfare benefits, the energy market, and out-of-court settlements.