Greek trade unionists picket Fokas department store - Thessaloniki

Greek trade unionists picket Fokas department store - Thessaloniki, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Greek trade unionists organised a three hour blockade of Fokas department stores across the country in protest against job losses and pay cuts.

According to the the PAME trade union the Fokas chain is using the crisis in Greek retailing to push down wages and fire employees despite a a tripling of profits since 2005.

However, with the economy in free fall the Greek Chamber of Commerce is predicting the closure of 175,000 shops and other small businesses in the near future with the loss of 300,000 jobs.

Two sudden hikes in VAT along with spiralling unemployment and wage cuts across the board have made Greek consumers wary of making purchases at a time when many have no idea if they will still have a job come winter.