Greek municipal workers strike for 2nd day

Greek municipal workers are striking for the second day to protest their inclusion in a government plan to reduce the number of civil servants and meet criteria for the country to continue receiving vital funds from its international bailout.

Tuesday’s strike comes a day after Greece’s creditors approved the disbursement of 6.8 billion euros ($5.3 billion) from the rescue package that is keeping the country afloat.

But in order to continue receiving the money, Greece must stick to the agenda of cuts and reforms it has agreed to, including the firing of several thousand civil servants.

The government must put 12,500 civil servants on administrative leave by the end of 2013, with the possibility of dismissal. They include school security personnel, Athens municipal police, local government employees, teachers and employees of ministries.