Representatives of farmers at 37 protest road blocks in Greece decided that they will further escalate their protest actions against the reforms on social security system and tax measures that the government proposes, after a meeting at the Nikaia Arts Centre in central Greece.

They announced plans to extend their blockades of national highways to six hours a day, at times to be decided by the individual protest blocks, though their intention is for road blocks to be coordinated and occur at the same times.

They will also seek to join forces with other social groups, and participate in other strikes, such as the February 4 general strike.

Regarding the prospects of dialogue with the prime minister, the farmers said the government must first take back its proposals for social security reform and taxation and start dialogue on these issues from scratch, while the talks must also examine the matter of production costs.

Farmers’ blockade in Greece