site.btaSellers at Greek Traditional Outdoor Markets Begin Indefinite National Strike

Sellers at Greek traditional outdoor markets (Laiki agora) are beginning an indefinite national strike on January 7, following a joint decision by their federations in December last year.

Local media report that on Wednesday, January 7, protesters are gathering at Syntagma Square in the Greek capital, Athens, while a meeting takes place between traders and producers with Greece’s Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos. Representatives of the leadership of the Panhellenic Federation of Outdoor Market Traders’ Associations also attend.

Sellers and producers at the outdoor farmers’ markets are demanding measures against high prices and genuine support for farmers through reductions in production costs. Among their main demands is the elimination of the presumptive tax method, which is based on projected rather than actual income.

Over the next 24 hours, producers and traders plan a motorized procession from the Kifisou city highway to the Afidnes tolls, north of Athens.

Meanwhile, traders and producers at markets in Thessaloniki plan a motorized procession to Malgara, site of one of the major farmers’ blockades, and on Thursday morning they are expected to block the central Thessaloniki market.