08:01

It’s not all hunky dorey in Greece today, reports Helena.

Firefighters, demanding renewal of short-term contracts, have been out on the streets protesting this morning. The protestors, some in full rescue gear, demonstrated in front of the Greek parliament in Syntagma square demanding that some 1,320 workers be immediately re-hired.

Fire-fighters have been among those affected by the hiring freeze imposed by the country’s creditors in exchange for emergency bailout funding.



If that wasn’t bad enough .... to the consternation of Greece tourist confederation, striking cultural ministry officials have announced they will close ALL archaeological sites when they walk off the job this weekend.



The news has prompted the confederation’s head, Yiannis Retsos, to write a letter to the cultural minister, Lydia Koniordou, imploring her to intervene. The 48-hour closure of sites that belong to world heritage will be a huge blow for the nation’s reputation at the height of the tourist season, he argues.



Retsos wrote:

“Greece’s cultural treasures, are part of world heritage and one of our competitive tourist advantages. Archaeological sites and museums in Attica and Athens are one of the most basic reasons for the decision to make the journey. For many travellers, visiting the sites is a life goal since they won’t have the opportunity to make such a journey again.”