Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou held a meeting with representatives of the Greek business world and labor unions on Thursday, seeking consensus on his government’s austerity policies, as Greek economy and people face a harsh autumn.
Social partners expressed objections to certain measures introduced so far and structural reforms underway, presenting the Greek premier with a string of alternative proposals to overcome the acute economic crisis the country faces.
“It is important to reach a national strategy through dialogue. It is important we show that despite different opinions, there is a national effort,” said Papandreou during the meeting in the presence of many cabinet ministers.
Greece is due to receive the second tranche of financial aid by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this September to face the crisis, but in exchange for that, is also under pressure to stick to a harsh Stability and Growth Program of austerity measures and reforms that causes strong reactions of Greek society.
During Thursday’s meeting, union leaders asked the government to force Greek banks to release funds to the real economy and households, to support small businesses, the unemployed and low income employees and pensioners. They also demanded the prime minister avoid further increases in taxes and ask the EU and the IMF for more time and support to put the Greek national economy back to the path of recovery and development.
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