Greek general strike marred by protestor's death

Demonstrators are seen between Greek flags as they take part in an anti-austerity protest in Athens, Oct 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

ATHENS - The latest Greek general strike on Thursday was marred by the death of a protester when a march turned violent.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Athens and other major cities to denounce austerity measures imposed since 2010 to reign in government expenditure and in exchange for vital bailout funds. Greece's ongoing debt crisis threatens it with bankruptcy and an exit from the eurozone.

"No to further austerity, no to slow death," read banners raised by protesters in front of the parliament building.

The mobilization was scheduled to coincide with a European Union (EU) summit in Brussels. Greek government officials are also currently negotiating additional spending cuts worth 11.5 billion euros ($15 billion) in return for another installment of rescue funds this autumn.

"We did not create the crisis. We should not pay for it," crowds chanted in rallies organized by the umbrella labor unions of private and public sector workers, before skirmishes broke out between groups of hooded youth and police.

A 65-year-old man died of heart attack and five persons, including two police officers, were slightly injured. More than 50 youths were detained, according to police, as some pelted rocks and petrol bombs at anti-riot police who responded with tear gas.

The deceased was a ship worker, unemployed for six years and member of the Greek Communist party, according to local media reports. A 53-year-old protester died in a similar incident on Oct 20 last year during a general strike.

In May 2010, when Greece struck its first bailout agreement with EU/ International Monetary Fund creditors in exchange for austerity and reforms, three bank employees died when a building was torched by hooded youth.

Despite the tragic end to what were meant to be peaceful anti-austerity demonstrations, unionists and protesters warned of more strikes in the coming weeks and months. Unions plan a pan-European protest day on Nov 14.

On Thursday, public companies, banks, schools and private stores were shut, state hospitals ran on emergency personnel and taxi drivers joined walk-outs of workers in the mass transport system, disrupting travel services.

"I participate in the protests with the hope that our leaders realize that we have had enough. Things worsen, people face hunger, and not only in Greece. We cannot live with illusions," Kostas Papadopoulos, a young unemployed construction worker, told Xinhua in front of Greek parliament, shortly before clashes erupted.

After a voluntary "haircut" on Greek debt, two national elections, rounds of cuts on wages, pensions and tax increases which have reduced average incomes by some 30 percent, many are frustrated at seeing no clear way out of the crisis.

Years of recession, bloated government expenditure and a lack of competitiveness has been worsened by austerity, driving up unemployment rates to record highs.

Maria Papadopoulos, Kostas' sister, said she intends to keep protesting until policies to deal with the crisis changes. "I believe we are already bankrupt. There is no money. People are out in the streets, homeless in queues for food handouts," Maria said.

"The proposal is to put an end to cutbacks from the masses to benefit the few who already have plenty and give power to the people," she added, asked which are hers and her fellow protesters' alternative suggestions to exit the crisis.

For the time being, the Greek government insists on the austerity path along with structural reforms.

Their aim is to secure crucial international loans without which a default could take place as soon as December. Greece is also seeking a two-year extension to complete its fiscal adjustment by 2016 to ease recession and the burden on regular citizens such as Kostas and Maria.

Protesters march to the parliament during an anti-austerity rally in Athens, Oct 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]