Greek Finance Minister Calls For Unity Amid Continuing Strikes

Greek Finance minister Evangelos Venizelos

The Greek finance minister has called for unity as the government struggles to meet requirements to get international rescue loans, which it hopes will prevent it from defaulting on its debts.

Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, speaking in parliament on October 14, warned trade unions not to "play with fire" as strikes and walkouts continued against the austerity measures imposed by the government.

Buses, trams, metro trains and taxis were not running in Athens on October 14 as public transport workers walked off the job for a second day, and a wave of strikes planned next week is expected to culminate in a general strike on October 19-20.

Some of the strikes have included the takeover of government buildings.

compiled from agency reports