Greek farmers shut down national highway in protest against reform, tax increase

Greek farmers decided to shut down the main national highway linking Athens to northern Greece "indefinitely" from Tuesday afternoon, their unionists announced.

More than 15,000 farmers have blockaded road junctions and border crossings in a three-week protest against a planned social security reform and tax increases.

At Tempi valley, farmers closed the national highway, forcing motorists to use regional roads, as farmers prepare for their rally in Athens on Friday.

Representatives from farmers associations told Greek national news agency AMNA that they plan to head to Athens on their tractors and "camp" in front of the parliament for three days. The government has indicated that measures will be taken to prevent chaos in the capital.

Closures of customs offices and highways for several hours per day are causing long delays for drivers. Businessmen have warned of significant negative impact on the country's real economy.

The blockades may be costing companies up to 30 million euros(33.99 million U.S. dollars) a day, the Panhellenic Exporters' Association told local "Kathimerini" (Daily) newspaper.

Approximately 43 percent of Greece's exports are delivered by road in 2015, according to the association.

Economic losses are expected to double if farmers will continue their protests by sealing off ports and railways, as they have threatened, according to the association. Enditem