Several hundred elderly Greeks shouting “shame” marched through Athens on Tuesday protesting against deep cutbacks to pension payments ordered by the indebted country’s creditors. In weak autumn sun and a city teeming with tourists, pensioners took to the streets angered by more than a dozen rounds of cuts since Greece toppled deep into crisis in 2010. More cuts will be on the way in 2019, under further reform to pension regulations. With unemployment at just over 21 percent – double that when taking into account people under 25 – pensioners on a steady income have long been the key earners in Greek households. That is defined as an inability to pay a mortgage or rent, falling behind on utility bills, unable to afford heating, buy a color TV, unable to meet unexpected expenses or buy a washing machine.

Source: Egypt Independent October 03, 2017 10:30 UTC