Athens--Greece was to submit Thursday to its creditors a list of reforms order to unblock critically-needed bailout funds, a government source said.
But the hard-left government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras insisted it would not back down from 'red lines' on labour protection and wage cuts.
"The reforms will be discussed in Brussels," the source said, adding that the government wanted a deal without austerity "crimes" against the Greek people.
The official added that Athens would not back down on labour issues, income cuts, the sale of state assets at whatever cost and a hike in VAT.
"The government does not have a public mandate to bring a deal outside the red lines, and for this reason it will not do so," the official added.
EU and IMF officials insist on reform pledges before releasing 7.2 billion euros ($8 billion) in remaining bailout funds that Athens sorely needs.
The government, according to the Wednesday edition of Greek daily Kathimerini, has proposed measures generating around 1.3 billion euros in new revenues for the cash-strapped country, including alternative tax proposals sparing the poor.
Kathimerini said proposals on the list included higher taxes on the very rich and on luxury goods, the sale of TV licences, and a more effective fight against those operating in black markets.
Greek daily Ta Nea reported Thursday that additional measures are a five to eight euro nightly occupancy tax for hotels on Greek island tourist destinations, and a three percent tax on high-end bars and restaurants on those same islands during peak travel seasons.
It is unclear, however, as to whether the package addresses contentious topics such as the liberalisation of the labour market, raising value-added tax, or the thorny issue of cutting state pensions -- all of which have been pushed by the IMF, and rejected by the Tsipras government so far.
AFP
