Greek tax officials began a 48-hour walkout Thursday to protest wage cuts and other reform measures, even as Greece struggles to meet revenue targets it has promised international creditors.
The strike closed tax offices around the country on the last two working days of the year, and forced the government to extend deadlines for the payment of some year-end taxes.
As a result of the austerity measures, tax officials have seen steep cuts in their salaries and other perks. A plan by the government to shutter dozens of tax offices–as part of a broader campaign to reform Greece’s dysfunctional tax system–has also stoked opposition.
“As a result of the austerity measures putting some tax officers on reduced pay, we have 5,500 fewer tax office jobs,” said tax officers’ union head Charalambos Nikolakopoulos.
The strike comes one day after two top prosecutors tasked with cracking down on widespread tax evasion resigned citing political interference in their work.
(source: Dow Jones)
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