Farmers gear up for rallies

Members of unions representing farmers in central Greece met yesterday to discuss plans for a fresh round of road blockades in protest at the government’s taxation plans for their sector.

The aim of the meetings, sources said, was for farmers to prepare road blockades such as those set up this time last year at key road junctions.

Last year’s protracted action created huge transport disruption, cost companies millions of euros and strained ties with neighboring Bulgaria. According to sources, Bulgarian authorities have appealed to Athens to avert any fresh upheaval. Meanwhile Bulgarian truck drivers are threatening to block the transport of Greek goods into Bulgaria if the action goes ahead.

Municipal workers carry a coffin during a protest in Athens, yesterday, demanding the renewal of expired short-term labor contracts and measures to protect them against workplace accidents. The protest came a day after State Minister Christoforos...