Farmers are preparing for another massive protest rally on Saturday in the center of Athens to protest against government’s proposed social security, pension and tax reforms.

Farmers from Thessaly, Crete and Peloponnese will join their forces with their colleagues from Imathia, who have already arrived in the capital, and Promachonas, who are expected to arrive in Athens in the next few hours.

They will hold their second rally on Saturday afternoon, while Communist Party affiliated union PAME is also planning a rally at 11.00 (local) at Omonoia square.

The farmers’ nationwide coordination committee for road blocks said on Friday it will escalate their labour action in the coming days, noting they will not end their fight unless they achieve their purpose.

“We will not go back empty handed,” said committee member Rizos Maroudas, adding that a precondition for the farmers to return to the negotiating table is for the government to withdraw its draft bill on social security.

Images from yesterday’s farmers’ rally