New social contract needed
If we want Greece?s private sector — or rather, what is left of it — to survive, then we clearly need a new social contract between employers and employees.
Reaching such an agreement requires a good dose of responsibility and realism from both sides.
However, it is deeply frustrating to see that the stubbornness of Greece?s left-wing parties and the representatives of reactionary union groups is clearly pushing the debt-hit nation in the wrong direction.
Several politicians and unionist leaders give the impression that they would rather see a Greek factory or a business close down, instead of making room for a responsible compromise with the other side.
Perhaps these people deem that in doing so, they will increase unemployment and public discontent which will in turn attract more votes their way.
But they are certainly not helping Greece?s workers, because they are not actually helping to protect or create jobs in the country.
