Greece Approves Bill to Fire Thousands of Workers

Greece Approves New Austerity Protests

Germany's finance minister arrived in Greece hours after Greek lawmakers approved a round of lay-offs and wage cuts affecting thousands of public workers.

Wolfgang Schaeuble, Europe's leading austerity proponent, arrived in Athens Thursday. Many Greeks blame Schaeuble for their woes since a debt crisis hit in 2009.

Parliament passed the sweeping reforms by a vote of 153 to 140.

The bill gives 25,000 public workers eight months to find other jobs or get laid off.

The passage of the reforms bill enables Greece to receive $8.9 billion in rescue aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Debate on the reform package triggered a week of almost daily protest marches, rallies and strikes.