The "Troika" saves Greece & its government. How 'bout the Greeks?

A chant, commonly heard on the island of Mykonos, Greece.

"Olli Rehn,
don't touch my Cayenne"

O. Rehn is the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs. The cayenne is a type of pepper and also a model by a car manufacturer named Porsche. It is of course, the latter which is referred to in the chant.

Greeks, even the ones driving Cayennes (price new: Euro 80-110k) are under the misapprehension, and the media and their government are quick to confirm, that it is Commissioner Rehn, the bad IMF, President Barroso, and other hidden forces out there dictating austerity to the poor Socialist government of Greece which, in turn, cannot but conform. Because Greece needs the bail-out money!

I.e., there is no doubt that Commissioner Rehn dictated increase of VAT by 5 points and the inclusion of food in the high VAT rate! Perhaps he even contributed a recipe or two!

It is evident that Mr Thomsen from the IMF indicated that specific civil servants' pay must be cut across the board, he probably even chose these by name...

By the same token, it must be the same bad guys who suggested that wages be cut in the private sector too (why?) but the valiant Greek government resisted...

Or, even further, it must be they (referred to as "Troika") who imposed a law where all employment be restrictively put under labour union supervision and control, contingency labour be restricted, and temporary employment impracticable...

While, by the end of this year, redundancy will be simplified. So on one hand you lose your jobs, on the other hand legislation makes sure there are no other jobs to be had!


Is it stubbornness, or are Greeks incapable of waking up, what on earth are these people doing?


The country is bust, and the average pension in Greece was 765 euro/month before the cuts. Some people worked hard all their lives and contributed; they are going to lose part of their pension. Many fought in WW-2. Not all Greeks are lazy; indeed few are. These people will suffer.


* Despite everything, and when all is said and done, the civil service has remained the same in size and people and efficiency; new committees are being set up to supervise recruitment in the public sector...

* Access to jobs in the public sector has become more bureaucratic...

* Access to the dole has been boosted!

* Access to jobs in the private sector has become much more restricted... (as of this week!)

* A number of jobs has been eliminated by law.

* The money-market seems ready to dry up.


Does the Greek Premier cat know what his ministerial mice (especially the labour ones) are doing? As Mr Papandreou comes across as a decent person, the answer to the question seems to be: most unlikely!


Maybe Greece would have been much better off if, indeed, Commissioner Rehn, President JE Barroso, the IMF Greece team were as involved as they are made out to be...

Ultimately, Greeks deserve better.