Greeks Use Blog to Voice Concerns

Throughout history, reforms in labor came through various ways. One of the oldest ways is the good old fashion protest. However, as technology expands the methods of protesting become more multi faceted than signs and chants.

According to CNN, disgruntled workers in Greece have noticed this, and they are using technology to get what they want. In this case, they are using the blogoshpere to voice their discontent. The blog, which can be found at http://g700.blogspot.com, voices the various plights of young Greek workers. One of the main frustrations is that their salary is too low to buy a home or raise a family. They are currently making about 700 euros ($940 US).

This group of people have dubbed themselves Generation 700, the 700 referring to their monthly wages. They want to use the site to address other societal woes as well. They want to lower the unemployment rate, reform social security, and make more money available for education.

Social security and unemployment are also two of the hottest topics alongside the low wages. If not dealt with, social security will collapse in 15 years, leaving nothing for the coming generation. The unemployment rate is at 8.9, which is the lowest since 1999, but still higher than the 7.4 average for the rest of Europe.

So far, the reaction to the blog has surprised the public. It appears that public officials are taking the grievances of the bloggers into account. "Do you consider that old ideologies and existing parties and workers' unions do not represent you adequately? Luckily something is moving in this deadlock," the Web site says.

Thanassis, one of the web sites founders, is still in shock at the website's popularity. "The response has been overwhelming," the Cambridge University graduate said. "We never expected such a reaction and such input. It has raised issues people are thinking about daily."

Thanassis said that the blog came from the desire for a society that holds to its word. "We say 'come out and speak about the issues that hurt you, about what we can all do to make things better for us'," he said.