Policemen block the road outside the Hellenic Environmental System Industry company in the northeastern Greek city of Komotini on March 01, 2012.
Greek police have arrested an ex-employee who in anger at losing his job had shot his boss and one other worker and taken two other people hostage.
The hostages were held for 12 hours before being let go by the ex-employee who gave himself up on Thursday, according to police authorities in the northeastern city of Komotini.
A spokesperson for the Hellenic Environmental System Industry company said the manager was wounded “in the neck, hand and side,” but the injuries were not life-threatening.
The company has recently dismissed some 150 of its employees.
“He was facing very serious financial problems,” said Pantelis Mangalios, the head of a local union.
“Workers are beginning to have urges for revenge,” Mangalios said.
Komotini is the capital of the northeastern region of Thrace which is currently suffering from a 40-percent unemployment rate.
Greece has been struggling with its poor economy since the country fell into recession in 2009.
Despite numerous austerity cuts implemented by the government and bailout funds provided by international lenders, which are aimed at stimulating growth, the economy has continued to contract and is not expected to show expansion until 2013.
Greeks have been turning up on the streets for anti-government demonstrations on numerous occasions since the austerity cuts were first implemented in early 2011. Many of the rallies turned violent, leaving scores of the protesters injured.
PM/MA
