The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Strong Reactions by Employees

06 Mar 2008 14:16:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8

Employment minister Mrs. Fani Palli Petralia in her interview today presented the adjustments regarding the social reform bill which will be submitted in Parliament later today. The draft bill provides for reduction of social funds to 13, creation of generation solidarity capital, rise of retirement age to 60 with the completion of 35 working years, cut down of early retirements and rise of the retirement age of working mothers with one under age child to 55 years of working. Meantime, a protestation rally by working women of GSEE-ADEDY (the General Confederation of Greek Workers) trade unions took place outside the Employment Minister. Protestors support that their security rights become shrinked, retirement age rises from 5 to 10 years and pensions are reduced while all positive provisions that benefited working mothers until this day are being abolished. Working women state that they are determined to escalate their protestations, warning with 48 hour strikes.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Reactions to Announcements

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

The opposition and Trade Unions are escalating their reactions on the changes introduced on the Social Security System presented at by Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia at noon. Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos has described the reform an important step to get rid of warps and extravagances. PASOK (Socialists) from its side questioned the public and social character of the Social Security System, speaking also of a blow against women. KKE (Greek Communist Party) Secretary General Aleka Papariga stated that the youth will be affected by the new system, blaming in parallel ADEDY and GSEE. SYN (Coalition of the Left) President Alexis Tsipras proposed the setting up of a joint front against the Social Security reform. From his side, GSEE President Yiannis Panagopoulos told NET 105.8 that the employees are asked to pay for the cost of the crisis at the Social Security System, describing Fund unifications casual and accrete. He also reported that rallies will most probably be staged on 18 and 19 March. Finally, ADEDY President Spyros Papaspyros announced a rally for next week, adding "we lack the bill and we know that pensions will drop."

Roussopoulos Speaks of Titanic Task

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stated that the unifications of Funds will proceed for employees with the same profession, adding that retirement ages would not change in general, pensions would not be reduced and levies would not increase.

Furthermore, he referred to the bureaucratic problems of the Greek Social Security System, describing the 1922 reform an important effort. He added that the reform aims at abolishing warps, combating tax evasion, putting an end to inequalities and stopping extravagances in the health sector.

In this way this titanic task will bear fruit, pointing out that 155 Social Security Funds are functioning in Greece, out of which 133 are under the Employment Ministrys supervision.

Referring to the generation solidarity fund, he spoke of a radical idea that will bear fruit in the future.

PASOK spoke of a return to Mitsotakis and Sioufas 90-93 policy.

PASOK cadres Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou and Evi Christofilopoulou stated that it is evident that the government is questioning the public and social character of the Social Security System, adding that it affects employees, pensioners and mainly women.

Moreover, PASOK will vote against bill, commenting that its proposal on the Generation Solidarity Fund, adopted by the government has also been distorted.

Finally, they argue that PASOK will react with the employees, preventing thus the changes from passing, adding after the next elections the party will abolish them.

ND (Conservatives) MP Yiannis Manolis told NET 105.8 that he is satisfied as many of the issues he had touched upon the Social Security System were taken under consideration by the government.

Meanwhile, women employees at GSEE, ADEDY and Bank of Greece employees staged a protest rally before the Employment ministry, in reaction to the bill.

They stressed that their rights are being restricted, retirement ages rise from five to 10 years, pensions drop and positive provisions for working mothers are abolished. Working women have stated that they are determined to escalate their mobilisations, warning that they will stage a fresh 48-hour strike.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

What Changes in Social Security System

[03] "No" to Skopje's Entry

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis told the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels that Greece cannot give the green light for FYROM to join NATO if the name issue is not resolved. The NATO Summit Meeting met to see whether the three candidate countries, Albania, Croatia and FYROM meet the criteria to join the Alliance. In parallel, she reported that Greece would do everything possible so that a solution is found. At a Press Conference after the informal meeting she said that FYROMs policy does not allow Greece to view FYROMs prospect to join NATO in a positive way as in the case of Albania and Croatia, arguing that the by monopolizing the term Macedonia as an attribute of national identity of one and only country will have negative repercussions in the regions stability in the medium-term. Meanwhile, National Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis stated at a swearing-in ceremony in the Airforce in Tripolis that our neighbours and allies should respect Greeces offer within the framework of NATO for peace and stability in the region. Finally, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Oli Ren is in Skopje.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Electric-Power Cuts Continue

By

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

In an attempt to prevent a black out across Greece due to the PPC (Public Power Corporation) employee strike electric-power cuts are taking place in the biggest part of the country. PPC has decided to extend its mobilizations until Wednesday in reaction to the governments fresh measures in the Social Security System.

As 19 electric-power plants are occupied the produced electric-power has been reduced by half. Meanwhile, PPCs lawsuit against the PPC General Staff Federation (GENOP-DEI) will be tried at the Court of First Instance Friday. PPC demands that the strike that began on 3 March is declared illegal and improper. PPC argues that the company has sustained financial losses, adding that the strikers expected benefit is trivial in comparison to the losses.

The trial was scheduled for today but was postponed as the employees lawyers had asked to be briefed on the boards brief.

Before the scheduled trial, incidents broke out when the employees threw eggs against the police because they had not allowed them to enter the court.

As per its announcement, PPC points out that it cannot inform the people about the electric-power cuts per area since they take place on the basis of electric-power demand and the companys capacity.

The PPC Board called on consumers to be rather cautious with energy spending during demand hours such as 10:00 to 14:00 and 18:30 to 21:30.

[05] Wild Course of Oil Prices

06 Mar 2008 09:05:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Oil prices continue their upward climb into record territory after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decision taken yesterday to preserve the low daily production in todays levels and the announcement made for reduction of US strategic supplies. Oil price is close to $ 105 per barrel. In Asian transactions, light crude delivery for April was settled at $ 104,37 per barrel while at some point it had climbed at $ 104,95. In New York light crude closed at $ 104,52 yesterday. Brent North Sea soared $ 3.88 to $101.40. Prices rose due to the reduction of US strategic oil supplies to 3,1 million barrels while analysts were expecting a rise of 2,4 million barrels.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] To the Examiner

Lawyer Christos Nikoloutsopoulos will testify to the Examiner on 7/3/2008. The lawyer, who faces felony charges, was discharged from Aiginitio Hospital today, and as per his lawyer he left hospital on with his own responsibility in order to help the ongoing probe and cooperate with the Examiner by revealing the elements of truth he is aware of.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Explosion in New York

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, Reuters, ÁNA-ÌNA

A small explosion hit New Yorks Times Square Times Square early Thursday after a small explosion struck near a military recruiting station, officials said. Until now no injuries or serious damages have been reported. Police cordoned off section of the area and is conducting investigation.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Giannakou off Life-Support Machine

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Former Education Minister Marietta Giannakous health has been improving since Wednesday. Although still in the intensive care unit, Ms Giannakou is off the life-support machine, has no fever and has opened her eyes. Presently, she is just on oxygen.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

M. Giannakou Better Today

[09] NATO Foreign Ministers Meet

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

NATO Foreign Ministers are convening in Brussels today to examine whether the three candidate countries, Albania, Croatia and FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) meet NATOs enlargement criteria. UN special mediator Matthew Nimetz held deliberation in Skopje Wednesday afternoon, while in the same evening he met with Greek negotiator Adamantios Vasilakis in Thessaloniki in the evening. At the same time, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis called on Skopje to help finding a solution, reiterating that otherwise FYROM would not be invited to join NATO. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis made this statement officially at todays meeting.

Feverish Deliberations

NATO Foreign Ministers will examine the progress report of the three NATO candidate countries in the afternoon.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis defended officially Greeces stance that if no mutual agreement on the name dispute is reached, Skopje will not be invited to join NATO.

Following his meeting with Greek negotiator Adamantios Vasilakis in Thessaloniki on Wednesday evening, UN mediator Matthew Nimetz stated that he would visit the region again if that was useful.

Mr Nimetz had earlier stated after the negotiations he held in Skopje that FYROM wishes to continue participating in the negotiations, stressing however that the gap remains.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Oli Ren told FYROM that the decisions on NATO and EU enlargement are taken unanimously and with concession.

Finally, the Macedonian Struggle Committee and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Party) held two protest rallies on FYROM name issue on Wednesday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

No Result

[10] "National Crisis" Disappearances in Sri Lanka

By Betty Savourdou

Sri Lanka is responsible for the disappearance of at least 1.500 people mainly Tamil during the last two years leading the country to one of the one of the worlds worst perpetrators of forced disappearances, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Deputy Asia Director Elaine Pearson said in its report. The organization brands the situation in Sri Lanka "national crisis" and blames directly the government and army that has been fighting for 35 years now against the autonomist rebels Tigers. HRW estimates that from 2006 and 2007 when conflicts between the army and Tamil heat up, security forces have kidnapped or killed "thousand of people".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Athens Stock Exchange to Re-open

06 Mar 2008 10:03:00

By Athina Saloustrou

The Athens Court of First Instance ruled that the strike of Bank of Greece employees is illegal and improper. The court accepted the Bank of Greece administrations request which was turned against the employees association, stressing amongst others that no security staff had been appointed and the four-day limit from the declaration of the strike to its beginning had not been observed. As per the ruling, the mobilization cost is disproportional to the strike demands. Meanwhile, the Athens Stock Exchange is ready to re-open ASE officials have stated, provided 27 February transactions are settled by the Bank of Greece.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Greek Market Blackout Sparks Reactions

[12] Social Security Reform Made Public Today

06 Mar 2008 09:39:00 (Last updated: 06 Mar 2008 15:19:24)

By Athina Saloustrou

Employment Minister Fani Palli Petralia will present the bill on reforms in the Social Security System at a Press Conference in a few hours, while before that it will be tabled at Parliament. Trade Unions are reacting to the bill with strikes. GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) will decide at noon on their further stance, while Trade Union women are presently holding a protest rally before the Employment Ministry. Meanwhile, PPC (Public Power Corporation) employees are determined to continue with the strike until next Wednesday, while the provisional and protective measures submitted by the Management will be tried at the Athens Court of First Instance. Besides, the same court ruled this morning that the Bank of Greece employees strike is illegal and improper. Meanwhile, Employment Minister and Social Security Fund employees are on strike, while municipality employees will stage repeated 24-hour strikes.

K. Karamanlis: The Changes will Proceed

However, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has stated that the changes will go ahead, irrelevant of the political cost, so that the changes are not painful later. The reforms will benefit the society, even if they affect the privileges of the few.

The changes will be implemented mainly as of 2013 and will affect about one million insured. As per the provisions of the bill, Social Security Funds will merge to 13, a solidarity capital for generations will be set up, to which 4% of VAT will be paid, motherhood will be protected and early retirement will be discouraged. Additionally, there will be a 10% deduction of social resources, a five-year rise for retirement ages. Working mothers with a minor will retire at the age of 55, those employeed for 35 years will retire at the age of 60, while those exercising heavy-duty and unhealthy professions will retire at the age of 57. Subsidiary pension will drop to 20% of the main pension, while an 8% deduction will be implemented for every year of early retirement.

Meanwhile, PASOK (Socialists) speaks of the final blow to the Social Security System, stressing that it will hold rallies with employees in reaction to the measures.

KKE (Greek Communist Party) points out that the measures affects all and primarily women and the youth, while SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) calls on all employees and the youth to react.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Social Security Issue at Parliament

[13] Colombian Oil-pipeline Sabotaged

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

Leftist Colombian rebels bombed an oil pipeline in the southwest of the country, the government said on Wednesday, in a possible reprisal attack just days after the army killed a top guerrilla leader in Equator. The Trasandino oil-pipeline can carry 100,000 barrels per day. The pipeline, operated by state petroleum company Ecopetrol, takes oil to the Pacific port of Tumaco. The FARCs No.2 commander, known as Raul Reyes, was killed in a weekend raid by Colombian forces that crossed into Ecuador to carry out the operation, sparking a diplomatic dispute with the neighboring country. Meanwhile, Bogota has denied allegations as per which it had tried to scrub Equators attempts to release FARC hostages detained in secret prison camps in jungles.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Ties with Colombia Strained

[14] Russian Bomber Aircraft Intercepted

By

Sources: Reuters

A Russian bomber aircraft approached a U.S. aircraft carrier off the Korean coast was intercepted by American fighter jets. According to American officials this is the second incident within the last month.

According to the same sources, the Russian came within three to five nautical miles and flew 2,000 feet (610metres) above the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships.

Two U.S. F/A-18 fighters were launched to intercept the Russian aircraft and escort it out of the area.

Russian bombers over the past year have increased their flights near U.S. territory and U.S. naval assets, demonstrating their long-range strike capability.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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