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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-05-05Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Parliament to discuss and vote on pension-taxation reforms over weekendThe draft law on pension and tax reforms will be discussed by the Parliament plenum over the weekend, with the debate starting at 10:00 on Saturday morning and end with a vote on Sunday night, as proposed by the government. The aim is to vote the draft bill into law before the Eurogroup meeting on Monday, sources said.The government's proposal was approved by majority at the Conference of Parliament Presidents on Thursday afternoon, over the objections of all opposition parties. [02] Trade unions announce general strikes from Friday against planned pension and tax reformsGreece's largest trade union organisations, including the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) and the civil servants' union federation ADEDY, on Thursday announced strike action against a draft bill on pension and tax reforms that is to be voted on over the weekend.GSEE announced a 48-hour general strike on Friday and Saturday, accusing the government of a carrying out a "parliamentary coup" through its sudden decision to bring forward the debate on the draft bill forward to the weekend using fast-track procedures. The union had already announced a 24-hour general strike and morning rally in Athens' Klafthmonos Square on May 8 - a designated Sunday opening day for shops - to mark Labour Day. A GSEE announcement said the planned Labour Day rallies will become central trade union strike rallies, urging workers to participate in force and the opposition parties to condemn the decision to bring forward the vote. ADEDY will also strike on the same days, alongside GSEE, urging all its members to oppose the new measures that include VAT hikes, higher taxes on fuel, alcohol and tobacco and additional pension cuts. The strike action by the two umbrella trade union organisations, which represent the majority of private and public-sector workers in Greece, will be joined by all categories of Greek seamen, whose union federation PNO on Thursday announced a four-day strike starting at 6:00 on Friday until 6:00 on Tuesday, May 10. The strike is expected to affect Greek ferry connections. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |