Greek pensioners march for more money as living costs bite

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Hundreds of elderly Greeks marched in the capital Athens on Tuesday to demand an increase in pension payments to cope with soaring living costs.

The protest was called by several associations representing pensioners, and the marchers shouted slogans for higher payments and free health care, including: “Let the plutocracy pay for the crisis.”

They called for the minimum pension amount to be at least 80% of the minimum wage, which was raised to €780 ($830) starting April 1, as well as additional payments and Easter bonuses.

The marchers called for more recruitment in the public health system to ensure better health care.

Over in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, public transport workers are set to stage a walkout on Thursday.

A union representing the workers said the five-hour protest aims to draw attention to the lack of investment in the city’s public transport system.