| News agencies inform that the Greek government announced Monday other restrictions for the public sector, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demands the country implement more radical economic reforms. According to Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, several companies dependent on state subsidies will be closed by the end of 2011. These new measures were announced before a conference call with representatives of the so-called Troika -- the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund -- in which Greece's finances will be evaluated before determining whether it is eligible to receive the next aid payment. The minister also announced that in order to collect the 2 billion euros required for the country to be able to meet its obligations new taxes will be imposed on all owners of any kind of company property, as well as unveiling a special tax on real estate. The permanent representative of the IMF in Greece Bob Traa, said Greece has to implement the austerity measures, especially privatization and cutbacks, and also the reductions of personnel and wages in the public sector. Meanwhile, the unions are holding demonstrations and strikes against these new austerity measures that the government is imposing under pressure from the credit lending entities. |