Athens police fire tear gas at striking truck drivers

29/07/2010

ATHENS, Greece -- Police used tear gas Thursday (July 29th) to try to disperse hundreds of striking truck drivers who are defying an emergency back-to-work order issued by the government. The strike, now in its fourth day, has already caused bare shelves at stores and fuel shortages at the pumps, prompting would-be travellers to cancel their trips -- another blow to the struggling tourism sector. Truckers who defy Wednesday's government order and continue their strike late Thursday will be subject to arrest and stripped of their licenses. In addition, public employees would replace the protestors and begin hauling goods again. The drivers are protesting the government's plan to encourage competition in the sector by issuing new licenses at far lower rates. As truckers reportedly tried to enter the transport ministry building Thursday, there were reports on protesters throwing rocks. (Ta Nea, BBC - 29/07/10; BBC, AFP, ANA-MPA - 28/07/10)