AGHIA PARASKEVI, Greece, June 23 (UPI) -- Former staff of Greek state broadcaster ERT, which was shut down this month, refused to leave its premises and issued pirate broadcasts.
The country's coalition government shut down ERT June 11 in response to pressure by foreign lenders to cut back on the size of the Greek public sector, ekathimerini.com reported Sunday.
Hundreds of workers of Hellenic Broadcasting Corp. fired as a result of the shutdown occupied ERT's headquarters in Aghia Paraskevi.
The employees issued pirate broadcasts Friday and Saturday despite the Finance Ministry's call on them "to evacuate the premises ... to allow for the unhindered and immediate implementation of the Council of State's decision."
The court ruling that called for the closure also called for its signal to be restored, ekathimerini.com said.
The ministry said officials were planning to recruit 2,000 people to run a transitional broadcast service, but provided no specifics.
The workers called for a solidarity rally to be held Sunday evening.
