Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-12-28

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't spokesman: Elections after March

[02] Employment in manufacturing sector down in Q3

[01] Gov't spokesman: Elections after March

Speaking to an Athens-based television station, spokesman Pantelis Kapsis said the election date is not exactly fixed, "but it is apparent that these negotiations will definitely continue until March ... After late March we'll be in an election period. Up until then, I just don't know." www.amna.gr

Moreover, Kapsis, a well-known newspaper managing editor before he was appointed to the ministerial post, acknowledged that there is friction between the three parties backing the current Papademos interim government. He added, nevertheless, that the current political "experiment" in Greece has not been conducted before in the country, "therefore, it stands to reason that there will be friction. I believe we will overcome it, because we must overcome it."

Asked about the prospect of new austerity measures, Kapsis said such a development would arise only "because we have not done our job properly. It is significant to understand this ... at this moment there no such issue. I am not saying that it will not arise -- I cannot know this -- but at this moment, it (prospect of new austerity measures) does not exist." amna

[02] Employment in manufacturing sector down in Q3

The sector recorded a 15.6-pct job loss rate in the third quarter of the year, compared with the same period in 2010, significantly surpassing the rate of the primary sector (-8.6 pct). The manufacturing industry has suffered a 22.8 pct decline in job positions in the period 2008-2011. Employment in the sector shrank from 542,000 in 2008 to 419,000, for a job loss of 123,600. www.amna.gra

The non-ferrous mining sector recorded a 7.4 pct decline in job positions, the food industry a 6.4 pct decline, the textiles industry a 33.3 pct plunge, the footwear and leather sector a 46.8 pct drop, the printing industry a 21 pct decline, the clothing industry a 9.1 pct fall, the machinery sector an 8.4 pct drop, the furniture industry a 12.8 pct decline, the plastics industry a 15.4 pct fall and the pharmaceuticals industry a 16.6 pct decline.amna

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