With big rallies in all major cities, on December 16, the class unions rejected the anti-people’s State Budget 2022 being discussed in the Parliament.
PAME highlighted the class characteristics and barbarity of the new Budget, which during the pandemic and with thousands people lost because of the condition and understaffing of public hospitals, it makes new cuts in Public Healthcare, new cuts for unemployment benefits and support to the unemployed and the pensioners. No substantial funding is planned for necessary infrastructures to protect the people against floods, earthquakes and wildfires. While at the same time the Government triples funding for “Green Investments” to business groups and funds NATO with €4 billion in addition to €3.5 billion for military armaments.
Thousands of workers demonstrated in Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities. In Athens a big rally took place in front of the Parliament under the slogan “Anti-people’s state budget. The people pay for business groups to profit” and demanded
Wage increases. No worker without a Collective Contract. Repeal the anti-labor law by which the minimum wage is regulated by a Ministerial Decision.
Unemployment benefit to all the unemployed without terms and conditions.
Reinstatement of pensions that were cut the last decade.
Substantial increase in spending to strengthen the public health system with massive recruitment of permanent staff, to strengthen the vaccination program and to carry out a free preventive screening for coronavirus throughout the population. To reopen Public State Health Centers, public hospitals and clinics, all the infrastructure that was closed in previous years.
Reductions by 50% of the taxes for electricity, water, telephone, internet and tickets for Public Transport. Reduction of prices for basic foods and fuel.
Reduction of VAT and abolition of indirect taxes on consumer goods.
The immediate rent subsidy for low-income families and low-income workers and families. Granting a monthly housing allowance to all students studying away from home.
Photos https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXgDAQi
