On Thursday, more than 6,000 white-collar professionals staged a protest rally against proposed pension reforms called for by the country’s creditors. Lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, engineers and other self-employed professionals marched while waving their neckties and decorating these on a tree of ties outside Greek Parliament. Rallies will escalate until February 4 when the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants Confederation (ADEDY) have scheduled strike action.

The professionals are opposed to the Greek government’s proposed reduction of pension benefits while increasing social security contributions by both employers and staff. Self-employed professionals complain that the largest percentage of their earnings will go to taxes and contributions.

Meanwhile farmers and sailors also announced a general strike for February 4, giving a preview of what is to come on Thursday as tractors gathered alongside national highways, blocking traffic. 6,000 tractors have gathered at regions around Larissa, Karditsa and Trikala with a huge block at Nikaia, Piraeus. Intermittent traffic blocks are to take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday at Tempi and Malgara (Egnatia Highway at Kerdyllia), the old Thessaloniki-Edessa Highway is being blocked from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the height of Halkidona. On Saturday, there will be more intermittent traffic blocks.

Amid the mass protests, Labor Minister George Katrougalos, Agricultural Development and Food Minister Vangelis Apostolou and Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Government Spokesperson Olga Gerovasili have planned a joint press conference at 11.30 a.m. on Friday.