ATHENS

Thousands of pensioners from all over Greece rallied Friday in Athens to demand better pensions, among other things.

Pensioners, organized in various unions and supported by the major trade union, PAME, stressed that the economic policies of the right-wing New Democracy government harmed them in particular.

Among specific demands raised were that the minimum pension should be at least 80% of the minimum wage, the re-introduction of 13th and 14th pensions, abolition of the municipality fees for low-income pensioners, recruitment of more health professionals for the public hospitals and opening of more public nursing institutions.

Pensioners also carried Palestinian flags and chanted: “Freedom for Palestine.”