The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Social Security Bill Passed

Sources: ÁNA-ĚPA

In the mid of industrial mobilizations, four day debate in the Parliaments Plenum on Employment Ministry draft bill providing for reforms in social security system concluded on Thursday evening. Following a request by the opposition, roll call voting was held in principal and for each of the three units of the draft bill clauses, over-voted by the 152 government deputies. SYRIZA party 13 deputies voted against while after the GCP and LAOS parties also PASOK party deputies walked out of the debate denouncing that the government did not allow all deputies in the list to take the stand. A strong dispute erupted shortly before the third and last roll call voting on the draft bills clauses 146 and 148 requested by the PASOK party, leading to the walk out of PASOK party with both PASOK leader, George Papandreou and parliamentary spokesman, Hristos Papoutsis condemning of "abusive strangle of Parliament". In response to criticism, Interior Minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos spoke of "mistake by the main opposition party due to its lack of positions". In his intervention, SYRIZA president, Alekos Alavanos stressed that his partys proposal was the real radical proposal beyond bipartisanism. The debate was held in a tense atmosphere with Employment Minister, Fani Petralia defending the governments selections and the opposition parties exercising strong criticism. During the last day of debate, the Employment Minister recalled the clause raising retirement age limit to 58 years old after 37 years of work, leaving the previous clause providing for retirement regardless of age after 37 years of work. Commenting earlier, alternate government spokesman, E. Antonaros said "Our responsibility is to cooperate and decide together on the necessary reforms that will guarantee a dignified pension to the future generations".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Demanding Withdrawal of Social Security Draft Bill

21 Mar 2008 08:06:00

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍĹÔ, ÁNA-ĚPA

In the mid of industrial mobilizations, debate on social security draft bill concluded with its approval on Thursday evening. In the meantime, GSEE and ADEDY staged a protest demonstration outside the Parliament Building during the voting of the bill. Lawyers, teachers and journalists working for radio and television channels took part on Thursdays mobilizations. Suburban railways employees staged repeated two-hour work stoppages with two services only operating, the 11.38 Piraeus-Kiato and the 19.40 Kiato-Piraeus while trains of Hellenic Railways Organization did not run except for "Social Needs Trains". Collection of garbage began at midnight, on Thursday as POE-OTA employees decided to suspend mobilizations while Public Power Corporation (DEH) also suspended mobilizations after unanimous decision of GENOP administration board on Thursday. There was large participation in GSEE, ADEDY and other trade unions 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, demanding the withdrawal of social security draft bill.

Trade Unions Will not Bow to Pressures

In his speech at the Athens rally, GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labor) president, Yiannis Panagopoulos accused the government of deceiving Greek people since the Prime-minister did not keep his three basic pre-election commitments. He also warned that trade unions will not bow to the governments attempts to penalize labor struggles. GSEE president described the draft bill as shame for social security, underlining that it has a negative effect on all. Particularly, referring to the merging of funds, he said that the system has no prospect and will soon collapse.

The president of ADEDY( Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants), Spiros Papaspiros blamed the government for deconstruction of the state social security system to open the road for mass introduction of private insurance coverage.

GSEE general secretary, Mr. Poupakis (DAKE) said that his party participates in mobilizations, objects to wrong policies regardless of which political party is in office and tries to isolate political expediencies. He underlined the need for reforms in the social security system but with wisdom and social dialogue while he invited SEB to take part in collective contract negotiations, agreeing to trade unions request for substantial rises.

Many senior members of opposition political parties took part in the Athens rally, while PAME and the GCP staged a separate rally gathering in Omonoia square.

PASOK president, George Papandreou, who was present in the rally said "we are fighting for the withdrawal of a draft bill which is unfair and which actually serves the strong, the rich and big interestsIt is socially unjust and deadlock said G. Papandreou and committed himself to pass a fair and viable social security system. In its announcement, the SYN party said that Wednesdays mobilization went beyond expectations and the government must take the strong message that the rights of people are non-negotiable. The SYN party president, Alexis Tsipras described the mass rally as a fight for dignity and life, stressing that the government has two options left either to retreat or to prepare its luggage.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Bakoyianni-Milososki Meet in Brussels

21 Mar 2008 08:06:00

Within framework of efforts to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to FYROM name issue, Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni will meet with her Skopjan counterpart, Antonio Milososki in Brussels, on Friday in the presence of US assistant secretary of State, Daniel Fried. In her statements, Mrs. Bakoyianni underlined that Greece will continue participating with clear positions and constructive spirit in negotiations procedures under the UN auspices and expressed hope that the other could abandon its intransigent stand even at this point. On his part, Antonio Milososki expressed conviction that UN special envoy, Mathew Nimitz can make better proposals which will allow room for progress in talks on the name dispute. In response to a relevant question, White House spokesman, Dana Perino said that President Bush is concerned over the pending name issue which he considers "soluble issue".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Bin Landen Message to Europe

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ÁNA-ĚPA

US president delivered a speech on Wednesday on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of US invasion of Iraq, hailing the strategic victory in Iraq, underlining that it was a correct decision as it made the world safer. In parallel, in a recorded message Al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Landen threatened the European Union with grave punishment for the publication of cartoons mocking Islams Prophet Mohammad. According to US intelligence services the voice in the recorded message was authentic. On his part, in his message on Thursday, Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani said that violence and corruption are his countrys problems in the fifth anniversary since his countrys invasion. Talabani welcomed the end of Housein era, a regime of tyranny and tortures but warned that there could not be any further progress without reconciliation.Hans Blix, former chief of IAEA described as a tragedy the war against Iraq while British Foreign Minister, David Miliband described it as a significant victory, adding that peace proved much more difficult than expected.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Iraq leader sombre on anniversary

BBC: Bin Laden tape voice 'authentic'

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