(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-22 14:49

ATHENS - Greek garbage collectors and workers with the country's main power company returned to work Friday after a two-week strike, while lawyers, bank employees and teachers continue their protest against a controversial government pension bill.

Mounds of trash that had piled up on city streets during the strike began to disappear and people had power supply again after a 17-day stoppage.

Meanwhile, labor unions said they would hold a meeting next week to discuss further action against the pension reform.

Greece's labor unions launched massive strikes following a government plan on pension bill reforms, which would cut back early retirement rights and merge lucrative pension funds with financially troubled ones.

Strikes over the last three weeks have repeatedly halted public transport and services, and even closed the Athens Stock Exchange for two days.

But lawmakers Thursday voted 151-13 in the last of three ballots backing the bill.

"We are facing the problem, not avoiding it," Employment Minister Fanny Palli-Petralia told parliament. "We have an aging population and this is causing problems ... Action must be taken now."

Greek is among the European countries burdened with a growing elderly population. Experts say rocketing deficit may well cause the Greek social security system to crumble in 15 years.

The European Union has also urged the country to improve its social welfare system.