Justices threaten prolonged work-to-rule protest

The government is heading for a full-blown dispute with Greece?s judges, who on Wednesday began refusing to hear cases beyond noon.

The judges are protesting the latest austerity measures, which will see a reduction in their wages, but they were also angered by comments from Prime Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday.

The premier suggested to PASOK MPs that the problems in the Greek judicial system were partly a result of foot-dragging by judges.

Justice Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou warned the justices on Wednesday that the Constitution does not allow them to go on strike.

The judges responded by saying that from November 7, they would end their working days at 3 p.m. and would not work on cases at home.