Greeks struggle under country's austerity measures

GREEKS are struggling following their government's austerity measures and most believe a rescue package would further erode living standards, a survey in Athens showed yesterday.

Struggling to rein in a huge budget deficit and a ?300 billion public debt load, the socialist administration is slashing spending.

Last month, the government cut the pay of about 600,000 public sector workers, froze pensions and raised taxes to reduce its shortfall in public finances this year by almost a third to 8.7 per cent of gross domestic product.

Half of those surveyed said their salaries no longer covered their needs. One-third said they spent less on clothing and a quarter said they were not eating out as much, the poll, which was conducted in the capital by Athens Economics and Business University, showed.