Greek workers protest austerity cuts

Greek workers are planning fresh strikes and protests against austerity measures in order to keep pressure on the country's new government. The protests follow the announcement of the first set of cuts since the Greek interim government took over earlier this month, the Associated Press reported. Workers at the capital's subway, tram, and electric rail network held a four-hour work stoppage, on Monday. The country's largest trade union, the GSEE, is also planning a strike on December 1, saying that it was planning on a joint strike with Greece's civil servants' union. Also, workers of the country's electricity company's workers' union protested outside the company's bill-issuing building. The protest comes as a response to a new property tax added to consumers' power bills. Last week, the new Greek government proposed the 2012 budget in parliament for approval early December. The new budget includes a series of spending cuts and tax increases, aiming to secure an installment of international bailout loans needed in order for the country to avoid a default. Greece is in the midst of a debt crisis that is threatening the whole eurozone. The new interim government headed by Lucas Papademos, must ratify a bailout deal in three months to avoid a default and remain in the bloc. The European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have presented Greece with two rescue packages in return for specific austerity measures, which include the cutting of public sector salaries and pensions, increasing taxes and overhauling the pension system. The suggestion of these measures has sparked nationwide protests in Greece.