Greek prime minister says ready to talk to farmers over pensions

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras gestures during the session 'The Future of Europe' at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday he was willing to talk to protesting farmers over pension reform but said it was essential to overhaul the system to ensure Greeks could continue to receive pensions.

Greeks are furious over the plans, which will entail increased social security and tax payments for many groups of workers, and the farmers swiftly rebuffed Tsipras' offer of talks, pledging instead to step up their blockades of highways.