Farmers vow to escalate action in protest at pension reforms
More than 10,000 tractors were estimated to be out in force on Tuesday, as farmers continued to block highways, border crossings and ports, vowing to escalate their action unless the leftist-led government withdraws a controversial social security reform bill.
Twenty-eight farmers’ associations spearheading the protest action met in Larissa in central Greece on Tuesday to decide on their next move. They rejected an invitation by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to hold talks, saying that would be prepared to negotiate only once the reform bill is withdrawn.
They also said they would increase their blockades of key border crossings, toll stations, customs services and ports, expected to cause serious disruptions in commercial traffic.
