Strikes against pension cuts and tax rises spread across Greece

Athens (dpa) - Greek farmers were blocking key access roads with their tractors Thursday as protests against planned pension cuts and tax rises spread across the country.The route connecting western Greece with Turkey was obstructed, while further road blocks were due to go up in northern and central Greece later in the day, farmers said on Greek television.Sailors meanwhile continued a 48-hour strike with most ferries staying put in the harbour. Rail traffic slowed down due to railworkers going on strike.More than 2,000 lawyers, engineers, notaries, pharmacists, doctors and other self-employed people gathered for protests in Athens around midday, shouting "We‘re saying no to pension reforms."According to state radio, similar rallies were held in other cities across the country. The Greek media have dubbed the protests an "uprising of the tie wearers."Nationwide strikes are expected to hit the public sector on February 4.The government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is under pressure to implement pension reforms as a precondition for further financial aid from the country‘s creditors. Among the planned measures are cuts averaging 15 per cent for new pensions.