Supporters of Greek trade unionists charged with assaulting German official await verdict

Supporters of Greek trade unionists charged with assaulting German official await verdict, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

German CDU MP, Hans Joachim Fuchtel caused uproar during a visit to Greece when he claimed that 1000 Germans could of the work of 3000 Greeks. The remarks sparked off fierce protests by Greek trade unionists already angered by the latest round of public sector job cuts.

During a joint German - Greek conference local government tempers flared and a German official was briefly attacked by angry public sector employees. The police arrested three in connection with the assault but all three were found not guilty yesterday.

Greek trade unionists protesting latest austerity measures

Greek trade unionists protesting latest austerity measures, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek trade unionists in the northern port city of Thessaloniki demonstrated against the latest round of austerity measures which are close to being finalised as Athens seeks to fulfill the conditions for the next tranche of bailout cash.

Measures include yet more tax hikes, pension cuts, privatisations and job cuts in civil service positions as well as wage cuts in the private sector.

Whilst Greeks struggle with the sixth consecutive year of economic contraction, prices of basic goods such as milk and meat remain among the highest in the EU, a legacy of the previous governments' unwillingness to tackle the cartels and monopolies that set prices throughout much of the economy.