The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pension Bill in Parliament

11 Mar 2008 16:03:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

The discussion on pension bill started today in a tense atmosphere. 11 trade unions are called to testify today. Minister of Employment will present its positions on the issue today evening. Discussion in the Parliaments relevant committee will last until Thursday evening while next week pension bill will be discussed in Parliaments Plenum. GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) trade union president Mr. Giannis Panagopoulos in his press conference called on all employees to proceed to mobilizations. A protestation rally has been scheduled for Wednesday at 13:00 at noon in front of Parliament. DAKE (Democratic Independent Working Movement) says "yes" to mobilizations but under conditions. Meantime, PASOK accused the government of serving political causes while SYRIZA Parliament Group president Mr. Alekos Alavanos launched severe criticism against the government and asked from the Prime Minister to withdraw the bill.

Wave of Strikes

GSEE and ADEDY, have announced a three-hour work stoppage on Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm, while they have already called for a 24-hour nationwide strike on 19 March. Garbage collectors will be on strike up until Wednesday, intensifying the problems caused by the carbage pile-ups. Their union, POE-OTA, is to decide Thursday on their future stance. POE-OTA head Themis Balasopoulos told NET radio station that the Government fell back on its promises and that the strike would go on at least until Sunday. Employees at the Bank of Greece are on a 24-hour strike, while OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions) will join Wednesday the three-hour work stoppage called by GSEE, and will hold a 48-hour strike on 13 and 14 March. Lawyers, doctors, notaries, engineers and pharmacists will also go out on a strike on Wednesday. Furthermore, there will be no underground and electrical train services from 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday, while there will be no services at all on Thursday.

Government spokesman Mr. Theodors Roussopoulos when asked if the draft bill has been finalized and if it is going to be voted in Parliament stressed that for every bill discussion in Parliaments relevant committee is necessary and that the government will listen carefully to every side.

PASOK president Mr. Giorgos Papandreou said that the government proceeds to anti social anti pension adjustments while he branded social security pension a very critical issue.

Mr. Papandreou said that the governments responsibility within the last years for social security is very big stressing that the new bill will have a major affect on women and other social groups and that strikes are taking place because working rights are being abolished and because the government adopts a repressive stance without any trace of dialogue. "We support DEHs strike", Mr. Papandreou added.

PASOK spokesman Mr. Ragousis stated that the government did not submit any plans and did not proceed to any dialogue so as to copy with tax evasion and after 4 years it attacks without remorse the pension right of working women and pensioners. Mr. Ragousis also stressed that PASOK will fight so as the draft bill not to be voted in Parliament.

SYRIZA parliamentary group Mr. Alekos Alavanos launched severe criticism to the government supporting the strikes that are about to take place.

He underlined that the country does not deserve this government and stressed that it is important to end its tenure as soon as possible.

LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) on its announcement yesterday said that it is in favor of working people "who react to the anti popular anti pension policies promoted by the government. He also stresses that the government is trying to undermine and to sabotage the fights of working people targeting at terrorizing and making the labor movement bend.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Blast in Halkida's Shipyard

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A deadly accident occurred on Tuesday morning on Panama-register cargo ship "Nobles," which was at the Halkida shipyard. A Greek worker, 49, was recovered dead. Another one was slightly injured. The Mercantile Marine Ministry said that the blast occurred while the two employees were involved in welding works in one of the ships fuel tanks. The head of the crew was arrested, while Halkidas port authorities are probing the case.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Ministry of Health

11 Mar 2008 16:33:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: NET

Rates of obesity in Greece raise concern especially for children due to over consumption of greasy foods and lack of exercise. Doctors are warning as obesity is close related with serious illnesses.

According to research 54 out of 100 children from 6 to 11 years old and 40 out of 100 teenagers of 12 to 17 years old in Greece are obese. Obesity is a pathological condition which can cause serious health problems while it is estimated that it is one of the main causes of death. Ministry of Health in cooperation with 4 other ministries and ERT (Greek Radio and Television) has launched an information campaign targeting mainly at young people.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Inflation in Greece Jumps to 4.4%

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The record high oil and petrol prices have shot inflation in Greece to 4.4% in the last month. The National Statistical Service of Greece put down the rise to the ongoing high oil prices and to the winter sales which lasted a week longer than last year. Statistical Services general secretary Manolis Kontopirakis said the March inflation rates mostly depend on international oil prices. Unless oil prices remain as they are, inflation in March will not score higher than January.

[05] Probably at the End of the Following Week

11 Mar 2008 09:39:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Former senior Culture Ministry official Christos Zahopoulos, who has been in the intensive care for almost three months after attempting suicide, is expected to be able to testify at the end of the following week. His attending physicians will meet again on Thursday to decide when he is capable of testifying.

[06] FYROM's Government Coalition in Crisis

The Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) led by Menduh Thaci requested Nikola Gruevskis VMRO-DPMNE meet six demands closely linked to the Albanian national minority in FYROM, threatening to leave the government coalition if not satisfied. The demands, including social rehabilitation of former UCK fighters, institutional recognition of the Albanian language, as well as recognition of Kosovos independence, said DPA, should be addressed prior to the NATO Summit scheduled for 2 to 4 April in Bucharest. "Unless the Prime Minister is willing to meet these demands, DPA will have to consider walking out of the government coalition," read a press release issued by Thacis party.

DPAs walkout could cost Nikola Gruevskis government parliamentary majority. Thaci threatened to abandon the government coalition in last June, as he disagreed with Gruevskis handlings in matters pertaining to Albanians rights in FYROM.

Translated by Areti Christou

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