Judges, doctors, pharmacists and teachers are this week all expected to launch industrial action to protest government cutbacks, sparking a new round of strikes and protests that will coincide with meetings between government officials and foreign envoys.

Unionists representing judges met Friday with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis separately to air their grievances after Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras refused to revoke plans to cut their salaries by up to 25 percent.

After the two meetings, the head of the National Union of Judges and Prosecutors, Vassiliki Thanou-Christofilou, met with members of the union’s managing board to decide on the form their action will take. Sources indicated on Thursday that judges might hold a five-day walkout in an attempt to paralyze courts and shake authorities.

Meanwhile, doctors working with the National Organization for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY) were to launch a new round of go-slow action from Monday, demanding the payment of outstanding debts by the organization. Pharmacists, who have also been protesting nonpayment of dues by EOPYY, are expected to continue their own protest by not supplying drugs on credit.

Teachers are to walk off the job on Thursday, protesting salary cuts, and hospital doctors are expected to launch go-slow or strike action next week in protest at cutbacks in their sector.