The strike is prompted over a provision in the government's new tax bill that allows a change in the status of workers at DEKOs in the framework of their reform.
Workers say that the provision directly undermines their status.
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou has repeatedly stated to unionists presenting him with their demands that the provision applied only to loss-making or bankrupt DEKOs. He has said a six-month period of negotiations between DEKO management and unions was sufficient time to achieve an agreement on changes but has stressed that the final decision lay with the government. Moreover, the Foreign Ministers are to discuss the issue of Kurdish-origin immigrants. Greece is to bring forth the issue of interrupting the Greek-Turkish dialogue among the two countries experts committees. Mr. Parlapanis also said that these demonstrations will be a warning and any further mobilization will depend on the government s response.