The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-07-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Reactions against Social Security D/B on Public Sector

Social Security draft-bill for the public sector, whose debate opens in the Parliament on Wednesday, has sparked reactions and mobilizations. Judicial officers staged a rally at the Athens Court House threatening with mass resignations while Athens court clerks announced work stoppages and sit-ins. In Thessaloniki, local administration employees proceeded to symbolic occupation of the City Hall requesting to be briefed on the impacts of the social security draft-bill on civil servants.

Protest Demonstrations

Judges and Prosecutors gathered at the Athens Court House to protest against the new social security draft-bill. It is one of the rare times that all judges unions protest in this way. Present in the rally were Supreme Court Chief Judge and Prosecutor.

Judicial officers react against their inclusion in the Single Payment Authority.

In Thessaloniki, local administration employees proceeded to symbolic occupation of the City Hall requesting to be briefed on the impacts of the social security draft-bill on civil servants.

On Wednesday, policemen in their uniforms will stage a demonstration at Syntagma Square. ADEDY (Civil Servants Union) has announced a nationwide work stoppage on Thursday from 11:00 till the end of shift and protest demonstration outside the Parliament.

Reforms similar to ones in the private sector are expected without ruling out some last minute improvements.

"There is no doubt that social security draft-bill on public sector is as tough as the one for the private sector. However, it is extremely tough on security forces and priests. It is time to understand that these two groups do not work on 5-day week work schedule", said LAOS.

SYRIZA called for the withdrawal of the social security draft-bill on the public sector.

Sources: ÍÅÔ-NET 105.8

News item: 38424

[02] Civil Servant Census Continues

Census in the public sector and local administration continues with no problems. All civil servants and local administration employees to be included in the list of the Single Payment Authority must fill in the relevant form till July, 23, otherwise they will not be paid.

Problems due to Massive Registration

In the meantime, General Secretary for Information Systems Diomidis Spinelis attributed the problems in the first day of the census to massive visitors. He added civil servants with taxpayer identification number ending in 1 who failed to fill in the form on Monday can do it today. Some 140.000 employees have been registered so far while the system can record 50 employees per minute.

Civil servants with taxpayer identification number (TIN) ending in 2 are registering on Tuesday, followed by ones whose TIN ends in 3 on Wednesday, TIN ends in 4 on Thursday and so on till July 23 day of registration of ones whose TIN ends in 0.

The Finance Ministry made a correction in the census form to meet request of judges who want to register as judicial officers and not civil servants.

Employees should be particularly careful when entering their personal data as they can not make corrections.

Finally, ones who are not registered will not be paid.

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 38422

[03] Treasury Bills Auction Completed at 4.65% Interest Yield

Greece on Tuesday raised 1.625 billion euros in a debt auction, its first since getting bailed out in May, which attracted strong investor interest. The country's Public Debt Management Agency said the sale of 26-week treasury bills was oversubscribed 3.64 times, at an interest yield of 4.65% (4.55% from debt auction on April, 13). The auction attracted total subscriptions mounting to 4.546 billion euros that overcovered the sum of 1.25 billion euros.

The debt agency said the final amount taken was 1.625 billion euros, after it accepted an additional 375 million euros in non-competitive bids for the auction of 1.25 billion euros.

The sale of treasury bills was oversubscribed 3.64 times. Apart from Greek banks some 10 foreign banks bought Greek state treasury bills.

The Greek State can accept a further 375 million euros in non-competitive bids till Thursday, July, 15.

People can have access to state bonds which are relieved from tax if held till expiration date. Public Debt Management Agency has announced the sale of 3-month treasury bills on July, 20.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 38417

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