The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Employees Continue with Their Mobilisations

17 Mar 2008 10:46:00

The Social Security bill will be debated at the plenum of the Parliament Monday afternoon, with most employees insisting with their mobilisations. One-hour long electric power cuts will take place today, as PPC (Public Power Corporation) employees will continue with their strike despite the court ruling. Primary Trade Unions will continue with their 24-hour strikes, while GENOP (General Federation of Employees of Public Power Corporation) with its fresh mobilisation demands that PPC (Public Power Corporation) President Takis Athanasopoulos and EVEA President Konstantinos Michalos are removed from their post. Anyone who wishes to be informed on the electric power cuts should visit the PPC electronic site.

At the same time, employees at municipalities have decided to continue with the mobilisations, while POP-OTA (Contract Workers-Self Government Organisations) will not participate in the mobilisations. At the same time, access to the Ano Liosia landfill is possible to garbage trucks since morning.

At the same time, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed that the right of those who wish to work should be safeguarded, pointing out in parallel the dangers for public health. Moreover, he rejected scenarios on early elections due to reactions to the Social Security bill, which will pass on Thursday.

On a relative development, Bank employees are staging a fresh 48-hour strike as of today, while lawyers have decided to abstain from their duties for five days. Electric Rail employees are participating in the 24-hour strike staged by GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) for Wednesday. They will work only from 10:00 to 15:00 to help those participating in the rallies. Participating in the strike will also be doctors, pharmacists, educators, civil engineers, journalists and petrol station owners.

GSEE and ADEDY representatives met with political party leaders in view of mobilizations in protest against social security draftbill.

PASOK president, George Papandreou said "we express resentment against the governments labor policy which will neither lead to better services nor to higher pensions while it appears that the governments only target is to cover deficits to the benefit of banks and businesses. We are on the side of the people who are protesting, we have called for the withdrawal of the draft-bill and submitted our proposals for a fair socials security system"

GSEE president Yiannis Panagopoulos said that the rights of employees are at risk. On his part, the president of GSEE DAKE wing, Yiannis Poupakis stressed that all are fighting for the protection of employees rights and react against negative regulations either in the governments draft bill or in Reppas bill.

Mr Alekoa Alavanos met with GSEE and ADEDY presidiums at 11:00 and Ms Aleka Papariga shortly after.

Mr. Alabanos asked for the withdrawal of the social security draft-bill underlining that if it was not withdrawn the fight will continue for the withdrawal of Mr. Karamanlis and the ND party rule. He also described the trade unions stand as moderate and attributed all responsibility to the government for the tension and problems in the industrial mobilization fronts.

The GCP general secretary, Aleka Papariga called workers to adamantly claim withdrawal of social security draft-bill, otherwise the struggle will continue after Thursday. She also called for the withdrawal of all anti-labor bills since 1990 and on. On their part, the presidents of ADEDY, GSEE and DAKE said they will intensify strike mobilizations and called all workers to participate in Wednesdays general strike.

As per an MRB opinion poll commissioned by Elefteros Typos newspaper, six out of ten are reacting to the Social Security reform. Almost half of the ND (Conservatives) newspapers do not approve the governments handling of the social security issue, admitting however that the fact that it is determined. 58.6% of the interviewees say YES to the employees requisition in the Local Government.

ND Secretary General of the Parliamentary Group Giannis Tragakis told NET 105.8 that the requisition of employees will not be imposed; adding that if the de-escalation of mobilizations does not follow, then the requisition may prove necessary.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

In Expectance of Ruling

PPC Stike on District Court

POE-OTA New 48-Hour Strike

[02] 48-Hour Strike

17 Mar 2008 16:14:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The Public Power Corporation unionists (GENOP-PPC) declared a new 48-hour strike, despite a court ruling against any future strike actions on the same grievances. In the meantime, the local PPC unionists keep staging 24-hour rolling strikes, as there is no court ruling for them. With their new strike, GENOP-PPC demand PPC CEO Takis Athanasopoulos and PPC Board Member Konstantinos Mihalos step down, as "they did not respect their institutional role." It is reminded that the latter has filed a lawsuit against GENOP-PPC. As for todays power cuts, they will be an hour-long.

Related News:

Amid Strikes

Mobilisations Continue Despite Ruling

[03] Oil Prices Slide

By Anthi Ntaousani

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

World oil prices were on a significant downward path on Monday afternoon (at about 1700 hours, Greek local time), following the new record highs earlier on Monday, when crude oil prices even reached 111.80 dollars per barrel.

The US crude oil is trading at 106.40 dollars per barrel, while the London Brent is currently below 104 dollars.

The euro-dollar currency rate stood at 1.5760 dollars.

The Wall Street index has been steadied, despite the negative opening session. The US FED decided Sunday to trim its preferential interest rates from 3.50% to 3.25%. FEDs move was hailed by US President George W. Bush.

However, European indexes keep recording losses, as they are down by more than 2%. The Athens Exchange index closed at 3,783.46, losing 3.59%.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Oil Hits US$111.8 Per Barrel

[04] "Destructive Bomb" Says the Church

17 Mar 2008 16:28:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

In its announcement after its meeting today, the Permanent Holy Synod says that it does not consent with the establishment of the unmarried intimate partners contract, stressing that it will destroy the Christian family and all Greek society and expressed hope that it will not be passed by the Parliament. In response to a relevant question, Thessaloniki Metropolitan Bishop Anthimos did not rule out that in the future some measures could be taken against Christians, who will adopt the Unmarried Contract.

S. Hatzigakis: "Velvet Revolution"

Justice Minister, Sotiris Hatzidakis today briefed the President of the Republic on new legislation concerning a number of reforms in Family Law. He said "we are making efforts to achieve a substantial reform, a velvet revolution. Apart from its institutional role, the Justice Ministry has a social role which I am trying to mobilize to approach the majority of people and their problems."

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Violent Incidents in Kosovo

Riots erupted in the town of Mitrovica, in north Kosovo, after UNMIK police stormed the court in the town and evicted Serbian court employees who had seized a court building on Friday. The police used tear gas today to disperse some 1.000 Serbs who had gathered outside the court building. Clashes between rioters and police broke out and extended in all the northern part of Mitrovica. Serbs attacked a UNMIK police convoy carrying detainees, resulting in the freeing of some of them. According to Serbian Tanyiug news agency NATO helicopters are flying over the city.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Culture Ministry in Cooperation with UNESCO

17 Mar 2008 11:27:00

The International Conference on the "Return of Cultural Property to its Country of Origin", organized by the Culture Ministry in cooperation with UNESCO, opened this morning at the new Acropolis Museum. The President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias attended the opening ceremony while Culture Minister, Mihalis Liapis in his speech among others stressed "renewed interest for the return of cultural property to its country of origin has been demonstrated in the last years with the number of museums adopting stricter moral codes and practices increasing and governments promoting bilateral and international cooperation while the time is right to provide momentum for the seeking of understanding and clear solutions to the issue".

The first day of the conference will be dedicated to countries whose cultural properties have been returned. Greeces permanent representative to UNESCO, ambassador, George Anastasopoulos and UNESCO deputy-director for Culture Francois Riviere also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] ÌIG-DEUTSCHE TELEKOM

17 Mar 2008 10:30:00

By Athina Saloustrou

MARFIN INVESTMENT GROUP (MIG) announced today that it has signed an agreement with DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG for the sale of 98.026.324 OTE shares at 26 euros per share. The transaction is expected to be completed the latest till May, 7, 2008 after the approval by the Hellenic Inter-ministerial Privatization Committeee of DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG relevant request. The agreement has already been approved by MIG and DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG Administration Boards. Deutsche Telekom announcement says that it has come to an agreement with Marfin Investment Group (MIG) to purchase the total of its OTE shares, slightly less than 20%, at 26 euros per share mounting to a total sum of 2.5 billion euros. The agreement is awaiting approval by Deutsche Telekom Supervisory Board, the signing of the agreement between shareholders and the Greek State as well as the Inter-ministerial Committees approval for the increase of Deutsche Telekom OTE shares so it can carry out its strategic targets. Talks between Deutsche Telekom and the Greek State to reach an agreement are expected to begin in the next days.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] France: Paris Remains in Socialist Hands

By Athina Saloustrou

Bertrand Delanoe, the popular Socialist Paris Mayor won with a large majority (57.7%) in yesterdays municipal elections to serve a second term as Mayor of Paris, which till recently was the conservative party stranglehold in France. Bertrand Delanoe, 57, was elected for the time in 2001, and was the first left Mayor of Frances capital. He is also said to be the Socialist party most likely candidate for presidential elections in 2012.

In the meantime, the Left increased the number of local administrative departments and local governments in the second round of municipal elections yesterday, giving them a strangle hold on local politics. The French news agency says that the election results indicate the Right party has control of executive power but the Left has control of regional governments. The Socialist party defeated Nikola Sarkozy UMP center right party in 20 large cities, among them Toulouse, Strasbourg, in elections described as the first electoral test for the French President. Marseille, Bordeaux and Nice remained in the hands of the Right party. The Left party won the majority of cities with population above 100.000 people securing rule of 25 local governments compared to 12 of the right wing while before the elections the figure was, the Left had control of 16 municipalities and the Right party 21. An anakyst for Cecop Institute said in whatever way election results are read it was a victory of the Left. "The President must change the policy he is following the last 11 months" said Socialist leader, Francois Hollande.

Despite its victory at local elections level, the Left party does not appear able to doubt the Right partys control at national level, political analysts say. The Socialist party has experienced three consecutive defeats in presidential elections since 1988 and Francois Mitterrand reelection. French Prime-minister, Francois Fillion said that it would not be wise to make deductions at national level, adding that each community and province have particularities and low participation does not help. The French people vote must not be used as a tool for political parties estimations, stressed the French Prime-minister.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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