Traders to shut shops October 13
Retail stores and traders will keep their doors locked on October 13 in protest at the government’s recent tax hikes and the ongoing financial woes of state social security fund OAEE. The General Confederation of Greek Small Businesses and Traders (GSEVEE) said in an announcement its members from across the country will take part in the protest action that will also continue with further protest action. OAEE, recently formed from the merger of several pension funds covering the self-employed, is believed to be struggling to stay afloat despite recently introduced reforms to the pension system. GSEVEE is also protesting last month’s decisions by the Economy Ministry to drop a tax-free threshold for the self-employed as part of plans to boost state coffers by some 4 billion euros. A slowdown in economic growth has harmed budget revenues that were already trailing annual targets in the first half of the year.
