The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Strong Winds Not Blowing Fire in Parnitha Mountain

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

On Monday, the fire that broke out in the foothills of Parnitha Mountain at 12:00 in Menidi and specifically near the Kapotas military camp is in development. As NET broadcast there are two fronts, one near an inhabited area with lush vegetation and the other higher up in the mountain. The positive aspect of the situation is that strong winds are not blowing, which could make the extinguishing operation even more difficult. However, an alarm was sounded immediately and 10 fire engines, as well as helicopters and aircrafts of the Fire Service rushed to the scene.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Athens-Piraeus Doctors on Strike

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET- NET 105.8

Today, Monday, the doctors of public hospitals of Athens and Piraeus are staging a 24-hour strike with an announcement made by the Association of Hospital Doctors of Athens and Piraeus (EINAP), the syndicalism body of the doctors. EINAP denounces the disregard of the state for the solving of chronic problems, while it asks for a new salary scale, increase of funds for 24-hour duty and the filling of 1,000 new positions of specialized doctors in hospitals around the country. Hospitals are operating with security personnel.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

EINAP

[03] Intense Reactions from the Opposition Labour Bill in Parliament

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

Tomorrow, the discussion of the bill for the reforms on labour relations begins in the relevant Parliamentary committee, amidst reactions from syndicates and the Opposition. It is expected that the bill will be voted in the first ten days of August. The bill of the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection has been submitted in Parliament without the controversial executive right, since it received the green light from the governments committee that convened on Thursday in Maximos Mansion. In the meantime, on Tuesday, the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) is organizing rallies in Athens and Thessaloniki. On Wednesday, the Executive Committee of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) will convene in order to plan its further actions, while it has warned of a strike and a committal of the issue in Greek and European courts.

What the Bill Foresees

According to the bill, the executives right is not provisioned. As for the working time management, its application is determined on an annual or four-month basis following a direct agreement between the employers and the employees.

In the case of the four-month management, unless an agreement is reached, a five-member committee will be authorized to make the decisions. The committee will consist of two employers representatives and two on the part of the employees, while the Employment Ministry Inspector will be chairing the committee. No penalty is to be imposed should the employee does not accept the management, whereas the minimum fine for the offender employers will rise to 900 euros.

As for the overtime payments, the former regime established by Giannitsislaw is to be re-enacted. From the 41st hour of the week until the 45th in case of a five-day, or from the 48th hour in case of six-day, the increase will not exceed 25%. Regarding the overtime beyond that limit and up to 120 hours annually the cost stands at 50%, whereas beyond the 120 hours the cost rises to 75%.

The bill also includes social security provisions. Employees to be retired are able to purchase up to 150 stamps, pension given to widows and widowers aged more than 40 and is currently given only for a period of three years, will be re-subsidized, while employers at the shipyard zone in Perama can validate their heavy and health-hazardous stamps.

Finally, the payment of the due contributions to the Press, hotel employees and freelancers social security funds will be paid off in 80 instalments, while the due contributions to IKA by the agricultural cooperative unions will be paid off in 120 instalments free of additional duties.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Labour Relations in Parliament

[04] Mexico and Taiwan on Alert

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA- BBC

Hurricane Emily is continuing its journey reaching the eastern coasts of Mexico, and specifically the Yucatan peninsula, where already areas have been wrecked, 100 km north of the resort in Cancun. The international airport has closed for precautionary reasons, while 8,000 tourists evacuated the area and the remaining were transported to refuges. On the weekend, Emily, which travels at 235 km/h, passed south of Jamaica and the Cayman islands, thankfully without any victims. On the other hand, the authorities in Taiwan are in a state of alarm, since Hurricane Haitang has started wrecking the island with torrent winds and rainfalls. As is was made known by the police, one man is missing and another 14 injured, while schools, governmental offices and stock exchange markets have been closed down around the country.

Taipei Resembles a Ghost Town

Meanwhile, one million houses in Taiwan do not have electrical power, most of the roads have been closed-off, train routes have been suspended and flights cancelled or postponed.

In the mountainous areas of the country, the hurricane, which travels at the speed of 184km/h, has caused rockslides and the authorities decided to transport around 2,000 people in safe places. The busy city of Taipei resembles a ghost town, since most of its residents have taken cover in their houses in order to avoid rainstorms.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] A Political Giant Edward Heath Passed Away

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC

On Sunday, former Prime Minister of Great Britain Sir Edward Heath passed away aged 89. He was leader of the Conservative Party from 1965 to 1975, when he was succeeded by Margaret Thatcher. Edward Heath governed Great Britain from June 1970 to March 1974. After his withdrawal from the leadership of the Conservatives, he remained MP of London constituency Old Bexley until 2001. His successor Margaret Thatcher described the deceased as a political giant and the first modern Conservative leader. Edward Heath was knighted in 1992, and first elected MP in 1950. He put Great Britain in the European Community and sent troops to Northern Ireland. British PM Tony Blair stated that Heath was an incorruptible man who strongly defended his beliefs. Last Sunday he had celebrated his 89th birthday.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Firemen Burned Alive

By Despina Hristopoulou

Fourteen volunteer firemen fell during duty in the city of Guadalajara, in central Spain. According to a spokesperson of the local authorities, another fireman is hospitalized in critical condition. The volunteer firemen lost their lives in an attempt to extinguish the fire that broke out in a forest area in Guadalajara. The fire that burned down 50,000 sq m broke out on Saturday night, and until late on Sunday night had not been put under control. On Saturday, in Spain, three fires broke out in Guadalajara, Zamora and Zaragoza.

Crushed by Flaming Wall

In the meantime, in central France, another three volunteer firemen lost their lives on Sunday night, when they were crushed by a flaming wall of a cottage house in the area of Metz-le-Comte. The three men, aged 38, 40 and 45, had rushed to the cottage house, where bales of hey were stored, to extinguish the fire but one of the walls that supported the structure of the 10m storage room collapsed, and resulted in the three firemen being crushed under the ruble.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Without Any Victims Tension Continues in Gaza Strip

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA- BBC

The Palestinians answered to the Israeli attack, which cost the life of Hamas commander Said Seyam in Khan Yunus, with mortar shells and missile launches. The Palestinian attacks from the Gaza Strip continued in the morning but thankfully there were no victims or damage reported. In the meantime, the Israeli government threatens with a land invasion if the Palestinian Authority does not suppress the actions of extreme Palestinian groups. Hamas replied to the threats of Israel by saying that it will stop the attacks, with conditions, but without this meaning that it abandons resistance and defence. Moreover, the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, stated that he is decided to end the attacks against Israeli targets at any cost.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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Against Everyone

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