Athens: Taxi Drivers Protest over Tax Reforms
Greek taxi drivers are unhappy over the government’s tax reform plans. They held a rally to protest against the hike in taxes and fuel costs.
Taxi drivers held a demonstration in a square in Athens, Greece on Thursday. They are opposed to tax reforms that will make drivers pay more money at a time when they are having a hard time earning a living.
[Michael Skoutas, Taxi Owner]: (Male, Greek)
"Their goal is to raise taxes with the result that our income will shrink. Taxes here, taxes there. If they keep imposing taxes on everything, like taxes on fuel, and our costs keep increasing, like our insurance costs which have gone up, then what will happen to us in the end?"
The drivers are also opposed to a hike on the fuel tax.
And gas station owners are worried that their businesses will be affected.
[Gas Station Owner]: (Male, Greek) (no title bar)
"Any increase that is imposed such as the one on fuel will result in a drop in consumption. So this will have consequences on our sales."
The protests are seen as a test for the government on whether it will stick to the program or bow to protesters. But until now it has gained the general public's support, excepting the hike on fuel tax.
Taxi drivers held a demonstration in a square in Athens, Greece on Thursday. They are opposed to tax reforms that will make drivers pay more money at a time when they are having a hard time earning a living.
[Michael Skoutas, Taxi Owner]: (Male, Greek)
"Their goal is to raise taxes with the result that our income will shrink. Taxes here, taxes there. If they keep imposing taxes on everything, like taxes on fuel, and our costs keep increasing, like our insurance costs which have gone up, then what will happen to us in the end?"
The drivers are also opposed to a hike on the fuel tax.
And gas station owners are worried that their businesses will be affected.
[Gas Station Owner]: (Male, Greek) (no title bar)
"Any increase that is imposed such as the one on fuel will result in a drop in consumption. So this will have consequences on our sales."
The protests are seen as a test for the government on whether it will stick to the program or bow to protesters. But until now it has gained the general public's support, excepting the hike on fuel tax.