4000 Greek miners in the street to keep their jobs

They do not want to lose their job. Some 4,000 miners protested in Athens on Thursday against the possible closure of their mines.

These are gold mines in Halkidiki, in the north. They are operated for 3 years by a Canadian company. But after taking office in January, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has decided to suspend the operating license.

"A government that sends 2,000 employees left in the street ... Have you ever seen it, a left government that leads so many people unemployed? Asks a protester. We ask something very simple, we are fighting for our right to live and work. "

The problem is that the gold mining could cause major environmental damage, most importantly in a tourist area close to Mount Athos.

"In a country where the unemployment rate reached 25%, miners ensure that the government condemns the region to decline. The gold mines of Halkidiki divisive, reports the correspondent of Euronews Apostolos Staikos. The dilemma between the environment and economic development for citizens, experts, but also the government will cut the Gordian knot. "