The islands of Chios, Samos and Kos on Wednesday followed LesvosĀ in a general strike in order to protest the value added tax (VAT) hike and the handling of the migrant influx.
The islands that host migrant registration and hospitality centres (hotspots) complain that the VAT hike is adding to the immense burden suffered by the excessive numbers of refugees and migrants stranded on the islands.
On Monday, the whole island of Lesvos went on strike, with residents and local authorities demanding the immediate removal of the excess number of refugees and migrants stranded on the island with no apparent plan for their handling.
The common line of the island mayors is that reduced VAT is crucial for the sustainability of the islands. Furthermore, they claim thatĀ there is a big and disproportionate difference in VAT rates applicable between Greek islands compared to the rest of European islands.
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