Hundreds of Greek taxi drivers for the fourth day are protesting against government plans to simplify licensing procedures and make them cheaper to obtain by blocking roads to airports and seaports in the country, Greek media reported Wednesday.
Taxi drivers gathered outside the Transport Ministry in Athens, blaring their horns and holding banners reading "Hands off our taxis!" Police fired teargas at some of the drivers who hurled plastic bottles and stones back at them.
On the island of Crete, cab drivers blocked the port and buses carrying tourists from two cruise ships before heading to the international airport.
More protests are expected in other Greek cities as well as on some of the country's islands.
The government has accused the taxi drivers of damaging tourism, which is one of the country's key sectors accounting for around 18 percent of the GDP.
The drivers say that the eased regulations for entering the profession and issuing licenses for a small fee will result in an oversupply of taxis.
They say the expensive licenses they purchased before, some costing tens of thousands of euros, and which they hoped to sell at a later date for a profit have now become worthless.
The plan is a part of the government's austerity measures for securing an EU-IMF rescue plan.
The government is seeking new terms for its $158-billion EU-IMF bailout amid reports that the country might need additional aid.
Athens is planning further measures to save around $33 billion through 2015. The country's total debt has ballooned to $490 billion.
