The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-22

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Between the GSEE and Employers Unsuccessful Meeting

By Vivian Papastefanou

The meeting between the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and employers for the signing of a new collective work contract did not reach a conclusion. However, they agreed to meet anew on Thursday morning, while, on the same day, GSEE will convene the Confederations Administrative Plenary Session, which will decide if it will proceed to an agreement or debate. In todays meeting, the representatives of employers proposed rises of 4% for 2006 and 4% for 2007. GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos stated that the unions proposed for rises in wages divided into two instalments: 4% as of 1/1/2006 and another 3.5% as of 1/7/2006. This proposal, as he said, gives a two-unit rise, in average, above the current inflation rate and called on employers to take it seriously into account and accept it, underlining that the unions will decide if they will proceed to an agreement or debate next Thursday. Mr Polyzogopoulos underlined that "we are still living through a period in which employees are deceived by proposals and behaviours" and that "we are a step before a strong collision."

President of the Federation of Greek Unions (FGI) Odysseas Kyriakopoulos spoke of a great difficulty in finding a solution, even if noting that the FGI wants for a solution to be found. In todays meeting the FGIs proposal covered the buying power of employees, in the levels of 2005 at least, which means a rise by 3.8%, which overbalances Greek inflation.

"Negotiations will Continue"

Following the meeting, Mr Kyriakopoulos noted that the FGIs proposals were not heard out and accused unions of not understating the difficulties of businesses. Regardless, he spoke of the effort continuing, in order for a solution to be found. Moreover, he stated that the notion that the FGI does not care for employees and not having any social sensitivity is wrong, while he added that profitable businesses will receive better rises.

President of the Greek National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) Dimitris Asimakopoulos spoke of an effort based on social agreement and noted that tradesmen and professional tradesmen proposed for 8% rises for 2006-2007.

President of the Greek General Confederation of Small and Medium Sized Businesses (GSEVEE) Dimitis Armenakis described the meeting as an important step and voiced the optimism over the result of the negotiations next Thursday, underlining that the proposal of tradesmen and professional tradesmen has resulted by rational decisions.

Representative of the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) in GSEE Giorgos Mavrikos described the positions of industrialists as provocative and stated that the only solution is strikes.

General Secretary of GSEE and representative of the Democratic Independent Workers Movement (DAKE) Kostas Poupakis accused industrialists of gratuity proposals and not a rise demanded and entitled to by employees.

SYN Representative Alekos Kalydis described the employers proposals as unacceptable and stated that GSEE should proceed to strikes.

Answering to questions posed by Government officials in relation to the collective actions in France, the Organising Secretary of GSEE Giannis Papadopoulos stated that "Frenchmen and small parrots" exist in the Government and the FGI.

At noon, Government spokesperson Theodoros Roussopoulos called to comment on the FGIs proposal for a 2.8% rise in employees wages repeated that the Government does not intervene in social partners negotiations. On the Government and its fiscal policy, Mr Roussopoulos stated, "the Government attempted and achieved rises above inflation." "These are the limits of the Greek economy," he said and referred to a statement by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis that the businesses with the greatest turnovers should proceed to the distribution of profit to employees, who are responsible of the business good course. Answering to a question of whether FGI President Odysseas Kyriakopoulos is a forerunner for the Government, Mr Roussopoulos said, "This is not the case. As Mr Athanasakis would say this is a very interesting joke."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Crucial Negotiations

[02] Timetables will be Adhered To New Facts in DEKOs

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

The Government is calling on all DEKOs to immediately change their personnel regulations in order to proceed to the signing of sectoral work contracts, based on the new facts. The Biministerial Committee presided by the Minister of Economy convened on Wednesday, the second time in two months, over the issue of DEKOs. As per the decisions of the Biministerial Committee, the rises should follow those given in the Public Sector, a limit to wages of executive members, expenses of overtime will be decreased, while recruitments will be made as per contracts of the private sector. As Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis stated following the meeting "the Biministerial Committee decided on all timetables to be adhered to for the implementation of the law for winding-up business in difficulty." The deficient DEKOs to be on the first line of changes are the Greek Railways Association (OSE), the Athens Thermal Bus Company (ETHEL), the Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway (ISAP), the Athens-Piraeus Trolley Buses (ILPAP), TRAM Trains and their subsidiary companies. The changes will be enforced in DEKOs, which have entered the Stock Market and in which the Public Sector has the majority of shares, in the case that losses appear in the future. The timetable foresees the change of internal operation regulations of DEKOs by the end of April. The list with the 50 DEKOs, which will be under the law, is expected to be published next week.

"Aimed at Winding-Up"

"We are proceeding to the implementation of the law on DEKOs without deviations, neither on the essence nor the deadlines," stated Minister of Transport and Communications Michael Liapis, underlining that "the dialogue begins with the employees in good faith. We respect the acquis of employees but the winding-up of DEKOs needs should be assisted."

"We will not back down from the implementation of the law as the citizens will be benefited first and foremost by it," stated Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas.

Referring to the law on DEKOs Minister of Employment Savvas Tsitouridis said that this is the most important reform of NDs two-year rule and a key to competitiveness.

The new personnel regulations in deficient DEKOs will foresee the following:

Three percent rises in the Public Sector Cuts in benefits, compensations and exportations of benefits Cuts of funds for overtime, away employment, committee payments

The changes will be enforced for DEKOs in the Stock Exchange and in which the Public Sector has the majority of shares such as: the Public Power Company (PPC), the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP), the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage (EYATH), the Piraeus Exhibition Centre (OLP), the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre (OLTH) in the case that losses appear in the future.

New facts in recruitments as they will be made in the following ways:

Contracts similar to the private sector Seven-month trial period Employees will be evaluated in sixth months, while a final evaluation will be made by the Supreme Council for Personnel Selection (ASEP)

A limit will be put in the wages of executive members and a "responsibility map" for consumers will be compiled.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] As Announced on Wednesday ETA Declares Ceasefire

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC, Reuters, ÁNA, ÍÅÔ

On Wednesday morning, Basque group ETA made an unexpected announcement, as it declared a permanent ceasefire. The news the Spaniards have been awaiting for years first appeared on Basque newspaper Garas website, which posted the groups decision and aired the video. "ETA has decided to declare a permanent ceasefire from 24 March 2006," was mentioned in the article, adding that the group is hoping the decision would lead to the recognition of the Basques. Spanish Prime Minister Jos&#233; Luis Rodr&#237;guez Zapatero stated, "I had said at Parliament that fear against terror united us, however, now I am hopeful that hope will be the uniting force." Spains Vice-President, Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, described the announcement as "good news for all Spaniards," however, she expressed reservations for the future. The groups aim is for the Basque Country to become independent of Spain, while the move is expected to pave the way for negotiations with the Spanish Government.

ETA, which has been described as a terrorist group by the USA and the EU, started its activities in 1959, while at least 850 people have been killed since then as a result of its attacks.

It should be noted that this is not the first time that ETA has announced a ceasefire. It had made a similar announcement around the end of the 90s, but it resorted to arms two years later. Therefore, some politicians appear somewhat apprehensive as to whether this new announcement should be taken seriously.

"Experience has shown we should be cautious with ETA communiques," said Artur Mas, leader of the Catalan nationalist party CiU.

Since 2003, ETA has launched attacks using small-scale explosive devices, thus causing only damages to property.

The last murderous attack had taken place in May 2003, while the group was killing some 100 people annually in the 70s.

[04] A Touching Story House for Sale, Dog Included

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: USA Today - Associated Press

Housing contracts in the USA are becoming more complicated by the day. And to prove the point, here is a strange and at the same time touching story from Saint Louis. A newlywed couple that was desperately looking for a new home ended up signing a contract for a 2-bedroom corner house with garden and a dog! Thats right! The adoption of lovable Rocky was one of the clauses included in the housing contract.

A Third Family Member

The story is truly touching. When the couple visited the house for the first time, it seemed uninhabited. However, they soon realised it was not so, as Rocky started running towards them to welcome them. The dog looked very much at home.

And it could not have been any other way, since it had been living there for the last few years. Rocky was the sole companion of an elderly couple, which had adopted the stray dog, as they could not have any children. When it became evident that they could not take care of themselves anymore, they moved into a retirement home, but no dogs were allowed. So Rocky was left behind and was being taken care of by friends and family.

When the elderly couple decided to sell the home, they thought of including Rocky in the contact. The clause was accepted by the newlyweds, who, apart from a house, now have a third member in their family.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Basiakos' Pledge towards Farmers Farming Subsidies in Two Months

Sources: NET, NET Radio 105.8

The course of implementing the New Common Agricultural Policy and the avian influenza topped the morning meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Rural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos. In statements after the meeting, Mr Basiakos stressed that 1,100,000 farmers would receive the subsidies they are entitled to within the next two months, as the Union of Agricultural Co-operatives finalised the list of individual entitlements for single farm payments. The Rural Development Minister also referred to the measures Greece took to reinforce aviculture, a field which has been dearly affected by the avian influenza, reminding the common decision made by the Ministries of Economy and Employment to reduce income tax and postpone the payment of social security contributions. At the same time he described the statement by the European Commissioner for Agricultural Policy, Mariann Fischer Boel, for compensation to poultry farmers affected by the non-absorption of their products, as a significant development.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Further Strengthening of Bilateral Relations Discussions on Defence Partnership

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, ANA

New prospects are arising for the defence partnership between Greece and Romania following an official visit of the Minister of National Defence to Bucharest. During the discussions held by Vangelis Meimarakis with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Atanasiu the possibilities of participation by Greek war industries, state and privately owned, in the new defence equipment programme of Romania were investigated. Actually, the Greek side was invited to contests for programmes of military ships, military vehicles, armament and ammunition. It is noted that the contacts of Mr Meimarakis concluded his three-day official visit to Bulgaria and Romania.

Stability and Growth

Following his meeting with President of Romanian Parliaments Defence, Public Order and National Security Committee Mihai St&#259;ni&#351;oar&#259;, Vangelis Meimarakis reached the conclusion that Greece and Romania have common concerns, while at the same time are interested in stability and growth in the wider area.

Moreover, the Greek Minister noted that the further strengthening of the two counties on all levels was discussed and particularly the cooperation that can be developed on the defence industry with mutual benefit.

Earlier, Mr Meimarakis visited the President of Romania, where the good climate of bilateral relations were confirmed, while he also met with Romanian Foreign Minister Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, with whom issues over the security situation in the Balkans and the Black Sea were discussed, as well as the participation of the two countries in peace operations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] In Parliament Political Memorial Service for Rallis

By Vivian Papastefanou

During a special sitting on Wednesday, the Parliaments Plenary Session honoured the memory of Georgios Rallis. The PM, the Speaker of Parliament, the leader of the Opposition, KKEs General Secretary and the President of SYN praised the ethos and political disposition of the former Prime Minister. A minutes silence was observed at the end of the session.

In her speech, Speaker of Parliament Anna Psarouda-Benaki stressed, "Georgios Rallis honoured Parliament and Democracy, giving high-quality lessons on parliamentary and party conduct. He served all the stages of his political activities, whether as PM, or as party leader, or as a simple member and citizen, with consistency, honesty, modesty and sincerity."

PM Kostas Karamanlis noted, among others, "The sudden death of Georgios Rallis robbed the political world of an historic figure that linked its course to positive political events and innovative reforms. Inspired by modesty, ethos and deeply democratic views, Georgios Rallis was an example of political conduct. We will all remember him as a nobleman of politics, dedicated to Greece, which he served with passion."

The President of PASOK, George Papandreou, stressed, "Georgios Rallis departed life modestly and proudly, just as he lived during his active participation in politics. He was a political opponent of out party, but that does not stop us from acknowledging the fact that he exceeded the dogmatic commands and constituted proof of a politician who served the general public interest."

KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga mentioned, "I acknowledge in Georgios Rallis his discreet presence, especially the last few years in the political and social life, and his wise stance against the trend to mould political speech and political conduct based on the communicational conditions and negative rules of electronic media."

Finally, SYN President Alekos Alavanos pointed out, "Georgios Rallis was an unceasing, tough and persistent opponent of the Left-wing. However, we have to showcase his honesty and straightforwardness. He was an important contributor to political life, providing antibodies to the sickliness that creates a climate of hypocrisy, conspiracy and bilingualism."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] 48-Hour Strike in KAT Radiology Dept

Sources: NET 105.8

KAT Hospitals Radiology Department will operate with security personnel on Thursday and Friday. The employees of the department will proceed to a 48-hour strike protesting over the serious shortages in personnel. As the doctors of the department stated the personnel works for seven days a week, while the hospitals administration owes them 1,800 days off since 2005.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] All-Education Levels Demonstration on Thursday Student Protest in Maroussi

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Students, teachers and professors have scheduled an all-education levels demonstration rally in the centre of Athens on Thursday, while universities in Athens and regional areas are staging a lockup, protesting over private universities and the issue of funding for Higher Education institutions. In the meantime, an eventful rally was staged by students in Maroussi, protesting over the municipalitys intention to establish the first private university when the Constitution allows it to. The protesters threw eggs at the entrance of the Town Hall, where police forces were lined up. In the meantime, in the morning, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met with Ministers of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Education Marieta Giannakou on the issue of collective actions in Higher Education, however, without making announcements. At noon, Government spokesperson Theodoros Roussopoulos accused PASOK of inciting students, just as it had done with employees. PASOK Press spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis answered that ND policy is inciting them and not PASOK.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Week of Collective Actions

[10] Regular Flights Begin as of Monday Patras Corfu on Seaplane

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

A new era for transport in northern Greece begins as of coming Monday, when the regular flights of seaplanes will be performed and connect Patras with Corfu. On Wednesday, in a special flight made from Piraeus to Patras, the Minister of Mercantile Marine Manolis Kefalogiannis was among the passengers. The Minister arrived in the capital of Achaia in order to inaugurate the base of the seaplanes. Mr Kefalogiannis described this day as a day of celebration and announced that routes from Piraeus to the Cyclades Islands and northern Aegean shortly, while in the future Patras will be connected with the Aegean Islands, Athens and Thessaloniki by air.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] For Airlines EU's Air Safety Blacklist

By Vivian Papastefanou

The European Union compiled its first blacklist of airlines deemed unsafe. According to the European Commissions announcement, those airlines will be banned from travelling to EU Member States as of this coming Saturday. The blacklist consists of 95 airlines. Out of those, 92 are facing a complete ban, while the other three are facing flight restrictions, as some of their planes are not accepted in the EU Member States. Almost all of the blacklisted airlines are African and include all the airlines from Congo, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia and Swaziland. The non-African airlines included in the blacklist come from North Korea, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh and Thailand.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] Over an Administrative Plan on the Successor Disagreement by OA Employees

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

OA employees, who met with the General Secretary of the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, are opposed to the administrative plan of Pantheon Airways, as Olympic Airways are to be renamed to. The representatives of the employees did not think that the Governments commitments were enough ie that their positions will not be affected and did not rule out the event of collective actions, the form of which will be finalised on Thursday during the Greek Civil Aviation Trade Union Federation (OSPA) annual conference. On his part, Commissioner on Transport Issues, Jacques Barrot did not rule out the event of imposing penalties to OA for its non-conformation to the community legislation, in relation to the return of illegal state funds to the Public Sector. It is noted that Transport Michael Liapis will have to present Mr Barrot with binding offers of candidate investors.

Government Refuted Articles

At the same time, sources of the Transport Ministry are refuting an article in newspaper To Vima, as per which the EU is referring Greece to the European Court over the delay of paying OAs debts to the Public Sector, noting that Greece has operated in the framework of legality in relation to the materialisation of a condemning decision by the Commission, while its is exhausting time and resources until funds for the establishment of the company are found.

Commenting on the article, Government spokesperson Theodoros Roussopoulos explained that the case of a possible referral to the European Court concerns state funds, which have been given before 2000 and noted that the Government has proceeded to all necessary actions for the return of illegal funding, as it was described, noting that these procedures are time-consuming.

On his part, head of PASOKs sector for Employment, Social Affairs and Health Evangelos Venizelos accused the Government of "handling, the dead end in which it drove OA, every day in the worse way," claiming that it undermined the interests of the national air carrier and the Public Sector just to attribute responsibilities to PASOK, while following "it turned the issue on a level of intergovernmental collision."

"The Parliament has not been informed for months and responsibility solely falls on the Prime Minister who cannot indifferently watch the dispute between Mr Liapis and Messrs Alogoskoufis and Doukas," concluded Mr Venizelos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Talks about the New Olympic Airlines

[13] Konstantinou Kicks to Win

By Stathis Petropoulos

The quality and the persistence of Larissas team were the elements that made the second semifinal against Olympiacos for the Greek cup beautiful. The visitors in Karaiskakis Stadium learned their lesson from the previous Championship game and were neither afraid nor indifferent, forcing Olympiacos to use all its powers to reach the final score of 3-1. The key player was Michalis Konstantinou, who in high spirits scored two out of the three goals and gave way to the qualification for his team. However, the "red and whites" found themselves up against the wall and, in particular, lacking one player, as in the 25 Schurrer fouled Guga just off the goal area in a situation where the Larissa player was face-to-face with Nikopolidis. Thus, referee Zografos showed the red card, which made Larissa more powerful in numbers. The goals for Olympiacos were scored by Konstantinou in the 31 and 81, Stoltidis in the 35, while Aloneftis in the 67 scored the sole goal for Larissa.

Referee: Zografos (Athens) Red cards: Schurrer (25) Helder (67) Yellow cards: Anatolakis, Mavrogenidis, Djordjevic VEla Junior, Helder, Kalantzis, Bachramis

OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Mavrogenidis, Anatolakis, Schurrer, Bulut, Stoltidis, Toure, Okkas (85 Kafes), Djordjevic, Rivaldo, Konstantinou.

LARISSA: Kotsolis, Galitsios (51 Aloneftis), Dabizas, Helder, Katsiaros, Gikas, Vela Junior (46 Serban), Digozis, Bachramis, Kalantzis (69 Kyparissis), Guga.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] In the Renovated Neurological Clinic Inauguration at G. Gennimatas Hospital

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

On Wednesday, Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos inaugurated the renovated wing of the Neurological Department of Athens General Hospital Georgios Gennimatas. The clinic acquired 32 new beds and was renovated with private funds, while it is considered as first-rate, as it has a 6-month waiting list. During the ceremony, doctors and employees stressed the shortages in personnel to Mr Avramopoulos, which is resulting in 350 patients being on the waiting list for an examination or hospitalisation. On his part, Mr Avramopoulos said that similar programmes of renovation are being carried out in many other hospitals throughout Greece and noted that the Governments plan for the substantial upgrade of Public Health is being speedily materialised. Mr Avramopoulos was accompanied by Deputy Health Minister Athanasios Giannopoulos and General Secretary of Welfare and Solidarity Vasilis Rizas.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[15] To Motions by Stathis, Kalousis and Kechagioglou Triple "No" by Appellate Council

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA, NET

Three motions filed by the accused on involvement in the extrajudicial ring, Leonidas Stathis, Evangelos Kalousis and Sakis Kechagioglou, were overruled. In particular, the Judges of the Appellate Council overruled the motion for release of former First Instance Judge Leonidas Stathis, who is accused of bribery and legalisation of incomes by an illegal activity, as it ruled that the accused is suspect of escape and dangerous of committing new crimes. The Councils ruling to the appeal by lawyer Sakis Kechagioglou was negative, as he was asking for the exclusion of Appellate Examiner Ioannis Sideris, due to "a partial stance" against the accused lawyer, as he ruled Mr Kechagioglous accusations as groundless. In closing the motion filed by former First Instance Judge Evangelos Kalousis for the release of his and his familys bank accounts was also overruled.

Check of Bourboulia's Transactions

In closing, the Appellate Council asked the Capital Market Committee to look into the stock exchange transactions of former examiner Konstantina Bourboulia, as well as other figures involved in her case, who emerged by the release of her bank accounts.

With a ruling the Council accepted Mr Sideris relevant demand, as he is seeking for clues by the relevant services of the Stock Exchange, in order to conclude if and what type of transactions took place in the market by herself and other figures involved in the relevant brief.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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