Athens, January 22 (RHC)-- Thousands of people have poured into the streets of the Greek capital, Athens, to voice their outrage at the government's planned pension reforms. The measures are demanded by international lenders under the debt-ridden country's third bailout package.

White-collar professionals, including doctors, lawyers and engineers took part in Thursday's protest outside the Greek parliament. Waving their neckties and banging drums, the demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Quit, Quit," "Take back this law, I can't pay you, Alexis," in reference to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

The Greek government recently drafted pension reforms, which will increase social security contributions and recalibrate future pensions. One of the organizers of the protest told reporters: "According to this proposed law, 84 percent of our earnings will go to taxes and other contributions (to the state)," criticizing the reforms, accusing the Greek officials of forcing people out of their profession.