Mountains of refuse start piling up in the streets of Athens and other big cities of Greece, where cleaning services employees are striking for four days against the draft law on pension system reforms put forward by the Greek government, Greek daily Kathimerini reported on March 11 2008.

Although Athens mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis called upon the municipal employees to reconsider their stand and show understanding towards the fact the pension insurance system in the country needed to be reformed, the refuse situation in the country is expected to worsen in the days to come.

Employment minister Fani Palli-Petralia has accused union groups of abusing their power as Greece braces for the next wave of protest action this week, Kathimerini daily reported.

Meanwhile consumer demand for electricity is rising as a result of the protest of the employees at state-run Public Power Corporation.

With the parliamentary discussions on the cabinet's draft law starting on March 11, banking sector employees have announced a 24-hour strike for the same day. Lawyers and engineers are going to follow suit by starting a 48-hour strike on March 12.

Strikes in Greece are expected to reach their highest point on March 19, for when the two trade union blocs in the country, Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY), have scheduled a 24-hour general strike. 

The cabinet's reform proposal features a drastic decrease of pensions and raising the retirement age.