Greece
Trade unions mobilised for another general strike on 17 January in anticipation of the visit from the representatives of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund – the troika. The unions are concerned that a further round of austerity measures is being planned along with further changes to make the labour market even more “flexible”.
See more at > Guardian news video (EN/GR)
The ETUC has welcomed the report from the European Parliament's Employment Committee which exposes the impact of Troika policies on Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Cyprus. Apart from the failed economic policies and devastating social impacts, the Committee report and the ETUC evidence to the Committee highlighted the attacks on wages, collective bargaining and wage determination systems as well as the Troika's failure to undertake meaningful consultations with trade unions. [Read more at ETUC (EN)->http://www.etuc.org/press/etuc-welcomes-eu-parliament-report-denouncing-dire-social-consequences
(June 2017) An interview with a member of a Commission appointed by the Greek government and the Troika provides an overview of the massive negative impact of reforms on the collective bargaining system and the continuing pressure for reforms, particularly coming from the International Monetary Fund, that flies in the face of the position of the Greek government, trade unions and employers.
