Striking Greek taxis take over toll booths, tax offices

Jul 22, 2011, 10:52 GMT

Athens - Hundreds of striking Greek taxi drivers took over highway toll booths, archaeological sites and tax offices on Friday in protest against government plans to liberalize their profession.

The five-day-old work action by the taxi drivers has created frustration for thousands of holidaymakers at the height of the tourist season as demonstrators have blocked access to major roads as well as ports and airports around the country in recent days.

On Friday, hundreds of taxi drivers took over highway toll booths, allowing drivers to pass through without paying.

Meanwhile, taxis also occupied the tax offices on the southern Mediterranean island of Crete and major archaeological sites on the holiday island of Corfu, letting tourists enter for free.

Greece's Supreme Court issued a ruling on Friday stating that any taxis caught blocking the access to ports and airports would have their driver's licenses and car plates confiscated.

A meeting between Transport Minister Yiannis Ragousis and union leaders failed to resolve the impasse earlier this week and drivers warned that they would continue with rolling 48-hour strikes unless their demands were met.

Taxi owners around the country are demanding that the government back down on its plan to increase the number of taxi licenses that can be issued.

As part of conditions to receive funds from a 110-billion-euro package of bailout funds, Greece is under pressure from the European Union and International Monetary Fund to liberalize dozens of tightly-regulated professions.

Those affected include taxi and truck drivers, lawyers and pharmacists.

Taxi drivers say that relaxing limitations for entering the profession will result in an oversupply of drivers, putting further strain on a business already suffering from the economic crisis.

Drivers also claim that expensive licenses they purchased, many costing as much as 200,000 euros (280,000 dollars) - and which they hoped to sell to the next generation - have now become worthless.