"Eurostat estimates that 20 percent of Greek population lives under poverty levels, the highest rate in the Eurozone"

by wikileaks.

All of these factors have contributed to a general feeling that the carefree days of generous salaries and easy borrowing have passed, and that the future looks dim and uncertain. Already Eurostat estimates that 20 percent of the Greek population lives under poverty levels, the highest rate in the Eurozone
together with Spain. A European eurobarometer report publicized in early February revealed Greeks to be the most displeased Europeans regarding social protection in their country, the economic situation, the cost of living, and the functioning of public administration. Nonetheless, with the exception of a number of labor unions that have announced strikes in coming days — particularly civil servants that will be the group most affected by several of the measures announced to date — and farmers, who blocked national roads for weeks asking for more agricultural subsidies, public opinion seems to understand the need for
austerity and backs the government. The majority of respondents in recent opinion polls supports the government’s austerity program and showed comparatively little support for civil servant strikes
or farmer protests.

Senior GoG officials have made it clear in meetings with Embassy officers that although most Greeks understand that sacrifices must be made, such acceptance is dependent upon the perception amongst citizens that reforms are socially just, meaning that the burden must be shared equally by all, and the special
benefits of certain groups should not be protected at the cost of others. Civil servants with many special benefits, tax free allowances, and other advantages, which were not broadly known to the public prior to the GoG announcement that these would be cut back, have little public support. Part of the GoG’s strategy is to pass the measures through Parliament as quickly as possible in order to minimize the lightening-rod effect ongoing debate over the measures can create. The GoG believes that as measures are passed, public strikes and protests will begin to die down. This theory, however, is already being put to the test, as each group that faces direct consequences of budget cuts and new taxes has begun mounting
strikes and protests. Strikes have been called by taxi drivers, who are opposed to plans that will change the way they are taxed; customs officials, who don’t want their pay supplements reduced by taxes; public servants who reject a pay freeze, and so on.

http://wikileaks.org/cable/2010/02/10ATHENS246.html

Here you can find all wikileaks cables about Greece:

http://wikileaks.org/tag/GR_15.html