The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-22

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Strike Continues Despite Recruitment They Won't Back Down

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, NET Radio 105.8

The Panhellenic Seamens Federation (PNO) decided to prolong collective actions at the ports of Piraeus and Patras, following the Mercantile Marine Ministrys decision to recruit all crews from all Greek-registered passenger ferries, passenger-car ferries and cargo liners as of 06:00. The President of the Panhellenic Mercantile Marine Employees Union (PENEN), Antonis Dalakogiorgos, announced after the end of PNOs meeting there would be a symbolic and actual resistance at the two main Greek ports, i.e. in Piraeus and Patras, stressing the strike would continue until Friday. Mr Dalakogiorgos underlined though that routes at all other Greek ports are performed as per normal, but any ship docking at the ports of Piraeus or Patras will not be allowed to sail back. Speaking on NET, Mr Dalakogiorgos said the PNO has not yet decided whether to ban routes from the ports of Rafina and Lavrio. The PENEN president said the political recruitment is an authoritarian decision of fascist inspiration, which strikes a blow to the labour movement, while underlining the Piraeus First Instance Court ruled in favour of the strikes legitimacy. Speaking on NET, Labour Law Professor Alexis Mitropoulos stressed there is no legal framework for political recruitment, as all clauses allowing it have been abolished. Mr Mitropoulos noted there would be no sanctions for maritime employees.

Ships Sailed from Crete

The President of the Mercantile Marine Subordinate Crews Union, Mr Manousogiannakis, underlined the PNO's decision was made by majority and asked for the support of all employees, while inviting all truck drivers to join them in their fight.

Meanwhile, car-passenger ferry "Lissos" departed from Chania, Crete, at 09:30 with 48 trucks, 7 cars and 39 passengers on board. It should be noted that no incidents occurred during shipping. Earlier in the morning, at 04:20, the "Aegean Glory" was setting sail has already set sail from the port of Chania bound for Piraeus, carrying 50 trucks with perishable goods. A total of 8 ships from Crete, Lesvos, Rhodes and Samos are expected to arrive at the port of Piraeus within the day.

Incidents occurred in the morning at the port of Corfu, when PAME (All Workers' Militant Front) maritime employees stopped passengers from boarding on "Agia Aikaterini" which was ready to sail. Two people were brought in and a female passenger was lightly injured.

In Patras, PAME (All Workers' Militant Front) maritime employees have blocked the hatch of Super Fast Ferry 5 and prevented the loading process. However, spirits are calm although seamen representatives stressed they will not back down despite the recruitment.

The Piraeus Labour Centre will hold a 4-hour work stoppage from 12:00 to 16:00, supporting the maritime employees' actions, while the Construction Workers Federation announced a 24-hour strike.

"The Government Used Up All Margins"

In an announcement, the Mercantile Marine Ministry underlined, "the demand of the Greek people and the proposal of the Greek Parliament was to continue the dialogue in a climate of consensus, mutual compromises and collaboration, taking into consideration the social consequences on a large part of sensitive groups, like islanders and farmers. The Government used up all margins and asked the PNO to appoint emergency personnel to cover the vital needs of the Greek islands. There was no response. Instead, there was complete intransigence to all initiatives aimed at scaling back tension."

Speaking on NET Radio 105.8, the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy, Aristotelis Pavlidis, stressed the situation forced the Government to make a legitimate decision and proceed with political recruitment. The primary aim, he said, is to help Greek islands escape the dead-end.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Reviewing the Solutions

[02] European Commission' Report to be Released Today Focusing on Economy

By Vagelis Theodorou

The European Commission is expected to approve the Greek Economys stability programme for 2006-2008. In its report, which constitutes its recommendation to be submitted in March to the Economy Ministers Council, the European Commission estimates that the fiscal deficit could be reduced to under 3% of the GDP before the end of 2006, so long as the temporary measures amounting to 1.1 billion euros, as provisioned by the Budget, are taken into account. Furthermore, the European Commission highlights the need for stepping up permanent structural measures.

Right now, the Interdepartmental Privatisation Committee is convening presided by Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis. Deciding on the adviser for the sale of the Emporiki Bank is the key issue of the meeting.

In addition, at 13pm, the Governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas is to present the Banks annual report on the Greek Economy. As per information, the report estimates that the countrys Economy is on a good track, underlining the need to speed up reforms and moderate wage rises, while it predicts new rise in the European interest rates as of the coming month.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Reforms Are the Key

[03] Swan Found in Halkidiki Tested Positive Seven H5N1 Cases in Greece

By Athina Saloustrou

After the sample taken from a swan found dead in Halkidiki was tested positive to the avian flu virus, the total number of H5N1 cases in Greece now amounts to seven. Samples taken from further seven swans found dead in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Giannitsa and Katerini, were sent to Londons laboratory. The increase in avian flu cases across Europe has prompted the European Commission to approve the mass vaccination of poultry as a prevention measure, but only under certain conditions. In the meantime, a pigeon infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus was located in the Romanian province of Konstanza, announced the countrys Agricultural Ministry. Yet another H5N1 cases in Austria. The countrys Health Ministry announced that a chicken was infected with the disease.

Seven Suspect Patients in Malaysia

Furthermore, Thailand announced a 90-day ban on poultry imports from seven European countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Slovenia, where avian flu cases have been detected. The decision will come into force as of Monday, said the head of the disease control department of the Thai Agricultural Ministry. Over the past two years there have been several avian flu outbreaks in Thailand, however, the authorities have successfully managed to restrict the spreading of the disease. Since early 2004, 22 people have been infected with the deadly virus, with 14 of them having died.

In the meantime, seven people have been admitted to hospital suffering from respiratory problems in Kuala Lumpur and are being subject to tests. The patients, two adults and five children, come from different families and had physical contact with poultry infected with H5N1, said the countrys Health Minister. The results of the tests are expected tomorrow.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Avian Flu Cases

[04] Refuting Mladic's Arrest

By Athina Saloustrou

Allegations on the arrest of the Serb-Bosnian former general, who is charged with crimes of war, are turning into a thriller. Despite official refutations by the Serbian Government and the International Criminal Court, rumours that Mladic has been arrested are running wild. The Serbian Government was forced to refute the news twice on Tuesday night. Government spokesperson Srdjan Djuric said the information on Mladic is "a product of manipulation that does not contribute to the Government's effort to complete its collaboration with the International Criminal Court in the Hague." The EUFOR command in Bosnia refuted allegations on Mladic's arrest and so did the US ORAO military base command in Tuzla, Bosnia, from where the Serb-Bosnian general would fly to the Hague.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article