Professors join anti-austerity protests

Greek university professors have joined a string of protests against pay cuts included in a new austerity program being finalized by Athens.

Striking academics say the 11.5 billion euro ($14.6 billion) cuts for 2013-14 that Greece needs to make if it is to continue receiving vital bailout loans will slash up to a quarter of their pay — which has already been reduced by 25 percent over the past two years.

Since 2010, debt-crippled Greece has survived on international bailouts, granted on condition that the country reduces budget deficits. Despite a series of talks over the past month, minority partners in the country’s conservative-led governing coalition have failed to sign off on the new austerity package.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is on Monday discussing the proposed cutbacks with representatives of bailout creditors.

Πηγή: ekathimerini.com