Greece Could Change Pension Reform Plans amid Protests

Greek farmers face with riot police during a protest against reforms of the pension system proposed by the Greek government, in Thessaloniki, Greece, January 28, 2016. EPA/BGNES

Greece's government is set to backtrack on some ideas in its proposed pension reform following negotiations with international lenders, daily Kathimerini writes.

Athens is prepared to lower a planned rise of social security contributions to 1.0 percent, down from 1.5 percentage points initially proposed, due to "objections" coming from creditors.

A proposed 50 percent tax rate for earnings above EUR 60 000 will also possibly be lowered, the English-language of the daily quotes sources as saying.

This comes after a general strike was held in Greece on Thursday, but also after days of protests by Greek farmers who have been setting up blockades at key junctions across the country and at the border crossings with neighbors, including Bulgaria.

Both the strike and the ongoing protest are directed at the package of austerity measures that includes the pension and tax reform, with participants calling on the government to withdraw its plans and prepare new bills with the participation of business unions.

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