Professional and trade organisations on the Aegean islands of Lesvos and Limnos have declared a general strike by island businesses next Wednesday to demand the continuation of lower VAT rates for the islands, which are set to be aligned with those in the rest of the country in 2018.

A coordinating body for the various organisations participating in the strike, in an announcement issued on Monday, noted that shops and other businesses will close since the rise of VAT rates to 24 pct will bring about "economic suffocation".

"If VAT rates do, in fact, rise on January 1, 2018, our cost of living will sky-rocket or, more simply, our income will be reduced by 7 pct."

Strike action by staff in all public services and local authorities has been declared by the civil servants' union federation ADEDY, while the Lesvos municipality will also participate by shutting down all services and joining in a rally that will be held on Sapfous Square in Mytilene at 11:00.