This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8546589.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Greeks await fresh economic pain Greece backs new austerity plan
(9 minutes later)
The Greek government has approved a third round of tax rises and spending cuts to ease its budget crisis, Prime Minister George Papandreou says. The Greek government has approved a new package of tax rises and spending cuts to save 4.8bn euros ($6.5bn; £4.4bn) and ease its budget crisis.
Details of the package, designed to save a reported 4.8bn euros ($6.5bn; £4.4bn), will be revealed later. The measures include a rise in taxes on alcohol and tobacco, as well as a 30% cut in holiday bonuses paid to civil servants.
A rise in sales tax and petrol tariffs is expected, as well as a move to cut holiday bonuses paid to civil servants.
The EU had called for austerity measures amid fears that Greece's problems could undermine the eurozone.The EU had called for austerity measures amid fears that Greece's problems could undermine the eurozone.
PM George Papandreou has likened the budget crisis to a "wartime situation".
ANALYSIS By Malcolm Brabant, BBC News, Athens In a country with Byzantine financial practices, one of the more idiosyncratic traits of Greek employment law is the requirement that workers receive their annual remuneration in 14 segments.ANALYSIS By Malcolm Brabant, BBC News, Athens In a country with Byzantine financial practices, one of the more idiosyncratic traits of Greek employment law is the requirement that workers receive their annual remuneration in 14 segments.
The methods vary, but in principle, employees get a full month's extra wages at Christmas, an extra half month's salary to help during the summer holiday period, plus another half month's salary at Easter.The methods vary, but in principle, employees get a full month's extra wages at Christmas, an extra half month's salary to help during the summer holiday period, plus another half month's salary at Easter.
The bonuses carry great symbolic value in Greece, but the European Commission has urged the government to scrap them for civil servants.The bonuses carry great symbolic value in Greece, but the European Commission has urged the government to scrap them for civil servants.
Some of the cabinet have been reluctant to do so, not least because of strong opposition from trades unions. The unions fear that any reduction in the bonuses will not be just for the duration of the crisis but will be permanent.Some of the cabinet have been reluctant to do so, not least because of strong opposition from trades unions. The unions fear that any reduction in the bonuses will not be just for the duration of the crisis but will be permanent.
The main civil service union has called a 24-hour strike on 16 March.The main civil service union has called a 24-hour strike on 16 March.
Mr Papandreou, who has likened the budget crisis to a "wartime situation", told reporters: "These decisions are necessary for the survival of the country and the economy, so that Greece can exit the vortex of speculators and defamation, so that we can breathe and keep on fighting." He told reporters: "These decisions are necessary for the survival of the country and the economy, so that Greece can exit the vortex of speculators and defamation, so that we can breathe and keep on fighting."
There have already been strikes by trades unions in protest against the government's cost-cutting plans.There have already been strikes by trades unions in protest against the government's cost-cutting plans.
The socialist government has pledged to reduce Greece's budget deficit from 12.7% - more than four times the limit under eurozone rules - to 8.7% during 2010.The socialist government has pledged to reduce Greece's budget deficit from 12.7% - more than four times the limit under eurozone rules - to 8.7% during 2010.
It is also seeking to reduce its 300bn euro ($419bn; £259bn) debt.It is also seeking to reduce its 300bn euro ($419bn; £259bn) debt.
It is believed that sales tax will rise by two percentage points, that petrol and diesel tariffs will be increased for the second time in a month and that luxury goods will be subject to a special duty.
EARLIER MEASURES Public sector salary freezeRetirement age risePetrol, alcohol and tobacco tax risesCrackdown on tax avoidance Euro rises on new Greek measures
The government is reportedly planning to cut the annual holiday bonuses paid to civil servants, the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens says.
Trades unions have warned that removing the bonuses would be a "declaration of war".Trades unions have warned that removing the bonuses would be a "declaration of war".
Economy Minister Louka Katseli has warned that the measures have to be socially just. Correspondents say businesses in Greece are likely to react badly to further tax increases, as they see them as being counter-productive, discouraging consumer spending and contributing to a further downward spiral.
Businesses in Greece are likely to react badly to further tax increases, as they see them as being counter-productive, discouraging consumer spending and contributing to a further downward spiral, our correspondent adds.
Will you be affected by the measures? Are you in the civil service in Greece? If you have information you would like to share with us, you can contact us by using the form below:Will you be affected by the measures? Are you in the civil service in Greece? If you have information you would like to share with us, you can contact us by using the form below:
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions