Europe

Greek ferries tied up in port for 48-hour seamen's strike

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Ferries are docked at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, during the first day of a 48-hour strike by the Panhellenic Seamen's Union (PNO) to protest new austerity measures that government plans, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Bailout-dependent Greece has agreed to carry out new austerity measures and reforms to secure vital rescue loans from its European creditors. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (The Associated Press)

A man walks past a docked ferry at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, during the first day of a 48-hour strike by the Panhellenic Seamen's Union (PNO) to protest new austerity measures that government plans, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Bailout-dependent Greece has agreed to carry out new austerity measures and reforms to secure vital rescue loans from its European creditors. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (The Associated Press)

A striking seaman is reflected on a puddle as he walks at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, during the first day of a 48-hour strike by the Panhellenic Seamen's Union (PNO) to protest new austerity measures that government plans, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Bailout-dependent Greece has agreed to carry out new austerity measures and reforms to secure vital rescue loans from its European creditors. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (The Associated Press)

Ferries between Greek islands and to the mainland will remain tied up in port as seamen walked off the job for a two-day strike to protest pension cuts being planned as part of the government's efforts to reform the economy and meet conditions of its international bailout.

Ferries stopped running from Thursday morning until Saturday morning.

Greece has been reliant on rescue loans from three successive multi-billion euro bailouts from the International Monetary Fund and other European countries that use the euro. In return, creditors have demanded a series of reforms and the country's handling of its finances is under strict supervision by international debt inspectors.