The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Social Security Bill Debated Since Monday

18 Mar 2008 09:55:00

Due to the employees rallies in protest to the Social Security bill debated since Monday at the Plenum of the Parliament, the Metro, Electric and Suburban Rail, as well as the railway will not operate. Busses and the tram will not run Wednesday, since employees will participate in the 24-hour strike staged by GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions). The Electric Rail and Metro service will operate from 10:00-15:00, in order to allow strikers to join the rally, while trolley busses will operate from 10:30 to 15:00. Suburban Rail employees will also stage a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, with railway employees also participating in the strike. Flights may encounter problems due to the strike staged by Civil Aviation employees. Besides, Bank, PPC (Public Power Corporation) employees, lawyers, bailiffs, private Media technicians and the POE-OTA (Panhellenic Federation of Workers Associations of the Local Government) are on strike Tuesday. Participating in the 19th March strike are also doctors, pharmacists, Educators, civil engineers, journalists and petrol station owners. Besides, municipality permanent employees have decided to continue with their mobilizations until Wednesday, while POP-OTA (Contract Workers-Self Government Organisations) will not participate in the strike. Meanwhile, teachers, kindergarten teachers and professors will continue with their strike until Thursday. The PPC (Public Power Corporation) has announced one-hour long electric-power cuts for today. Those interested to be briefed on the areas, where electric-power cuts will take place can visit the PPC electronic site.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

GENOP-PPC Declares New Strike Actions

Strike Fever

[02] In the Mid of Industrial Mobilizations

18 Mar 2008 09:46:00

Debate on social security system reforms will continue in the Parliament Plenum this afternoon. The debate is to conclude on Thursday with the voting of the draft bill. The opposition expressed its objections, speaking of "express procedures" and demanded withdrawal of draft bill during the first marathon session. The government left open possibility for changes provided that they do not alter the general concept of reforms. Employment Minister, Fani Palli Petralia said that the government assumes political cost-if any- and proceeds to a big reform aimed at protecting the social security rights of the present insured employees and avoid burdening the next generations. PASOK party said that it will recall the draft bill when it takes office because it has a negative impact on millions of people insured and destroys the foundations of the social security system.

The GCP described merging of funds as mere bluff and called for abolition of deputies pension. In the meantime, Mrs. Papariga said that she will submit request for roll-call voting on the social security draft bill in principal and the withdrawal of her partys deputies from debate on the articles.

The SYN party spoke of "monstrosity" and "killer" of the social security system while the SYRIZA party will submit its positions on the social security system today. The competent Parliamentary Group will hold an open door session at 11:00 this morning where representatives of trade unions among them GSEE, ADEDY, TEE, DSA, POE-OTA, OLME have been invited to express their positions. An overnight rally and surrounding of the Parliament, organized by SYRIZA, demanding the withdrawal of social security draft bill begins at 19:00 this evening. LAOS party attributed inconsistency of government and employment Minister policy.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Thessaloniki

18 Mar 2008 11:14:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

A "Huey" type military helicopter with a three-member crew crashed off Vasiloudi village in the prefecture of Thessaloniki a little before 10:38 Tuesday. A rescue operation is under way. As per first information, the helicopter had taken off from the helicopter base in Alexandria, Imathia.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Deliberations on FYROM Name Issue

Sources: ÍÅÔ -ÍÅÔ 105.8

Following his Monday meeting with negotiators Vasilakis and Dimitrov in Vienna, Special UN envoy Matthew Nimetz stated that talks between Athens and Skopje may resume in New York next week. As per a UN announcement, Nimetz has asked from both parties to present their positions, adding that if there is any chance of progress to take place they will meet anew next week. Nimetz appeared optimistic, stressing however that a lot remains to be settled. In reply to a question on the name issue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos stated that the position of Athens, presented by the prime minister at the Summit Meeting in Brussels is crystal clear. He added that Greece would not comment on any publications as it respects the ongoing process.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

New Meeting on Name Issue

[05] Pension Agreement in Australia Goes into Effect October

The agreement on pensions between Australia and Greece will go into effect in October 2008, stated Australian Ambassador to Greece Jeremy Newman. The Australian diplomat, who is leaving for Athens on 1st April has explained that the competent bodies of the National Parliament are examining the agreement text and if Athens and Canberra give the green light, then the agreement will be signed at the end of July and will go into effect in the beginning of October. The Greek Parliament has recently approved the agreement text, with the Greek government expecting the agreement to be ratified by the Australian Parliament.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] At Intensive Care Unit

18 Mar 2008 08:58:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

A new wave of violence among football fans broke out in Argentina after the shooting on Saturday of Emanuel Alvarez, a 21-year-old follower of the Velez Sarsfield first-division club. According to police a 12-year old girl was seriously wounded by bullet fired by fans of Godoy Cruz football team in the city Mendosa. The girl is being hospitalised at the intensive ward unit in a critical condition. The girl was shot at the entrance door of her house after a game between Gondoy Cruz Atletico Rafaella playing for second-division championship. According to the girls grandfather the shot came from a truck carrying Godoy Cruz fans.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Kerbala Bloody Attack

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

At least 52 people were killed, among them 5 Iranians and 75 wounded in a bomb attack in the Shiite holy city Kerbala yesterday. The bomb exploded yesterday afternoon some 100m from Imam Housein shrine. Several people wounded were carried away by fellow pilgrims. Local authorities spokesman, Salim Kandim, said that two bodies have not been recognized yet. This is the four bloody attack in Iraq since the beginning of February.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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