The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis: âTop Priority Is Protection of Workersâ

Prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis this morning had a working meeting on an action program mounting to 3.2 billion euros for the protection and support of unemployment with Employment Minister Fani Palli Petralia. In his statements, Kostas Karamanlis referred to keep down increasing rate of unemployment, created by the financial crisis. Mr. Karamanlis also referred to the second crucial move in social security reform, which are changes in heavy and unhealthy stamps.

The Prime-minister announced separation of IKA health and social security sectors after his today's meeting with Employment Minister within IKA reform efforts. Mr. Karamanlis requested submission of IKA draft-bill âincluding the new list of heavy and unhealthy professions- to the Parliament within this summer as well as intensification of efforts to halt fake disability pensions.

During his surprise visit to the Employment Ministry, the Prime-minister noted high absorbance of community funds for employment programs and requested acceleration of pace of reforms.

Mr. Karamanlis spoke of combating evasions in IKA contributions and cuts in health expenses through AMKA, the online system and the unification of funds.

Furthermore he spoke of 3.7% drop in unemployment rate in the last 5 years and a halt in the ascending rate of unemployment in the second quarter in 2009. Mr. Karamanlis underlined that support of employment is the government's top priority.

Mr. Karamanlis rendered the better condition of Greece during the global financial crisis compared to other countries to the significant reforms in the last years.

ÐÇÃÅÓ: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁÐÅ/ÌÐÅ

News item: 24338

[02] Reaction on Smoking Ban

Ban on smoking came out in force for public places in Greece on July ,1. The Health Ministry telephone center 1142 received a record high number of calls (5.500). The majority of calls (72%) were made by businesses and 28% work places.

Health Minister Dimitris Abramopoulos called people to respect the law. The new regulation bans smoking on all public places expect in special rooms for smokers.

Specifically, smoking is banned:

In all places linked to health

Indoor waiting rooms

Airports

Means of transport terminals (ports, train stations)

In all means of transport

Snack bars

Also underaged are not allowed to enter into smokers' places even in private events regardless if they are accompanied by adults. Advertisement of tobacco products is forbidden in outdoor places. It is only allowed in tobacco shops.Those who break the new law face fines from â¬50 to â¬500 and businesses from â¬1.000 to â¬20.000.

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 24333

[03] New Testimonies on Siemens Case

Mr. Tsoukatos described his indictment as impressively indefinite while in his statement he maintained that Mihalis Hristoforakos offered the above sum in 1998 for PASOK's pre-election campaign without asking anything in return. He repeated that PASOK members knew about the specific sum dropped hints at the stand of PASOK's new leadership. The main opposition repeated that auditing has not indicated financial aid from Siemens.

Commenting on developments during a dinner for PASOK deputies attending the Parliament's first summer session, PASOK leader, George Papandreou underlined that the party's position to shed light for the clearing of all aspects of the case from the very beginning is justified.

He also proposed the convention of the Parliament's plenum and the setting up of an inquiry committee to clear shadows on the case which poisons the country's political life.

In response the government spokesman said that PASOK attempts to hamper Justice anytime the case comes to a crucial point.

The GCP spoke of PASOK hypocrisy and intransparency regarding its finances while SYN party said that Siemens case indicated the extent of corruption of power and the vulnerability of the public interest.

Former Siemens Hellas chief Mihalis Hristoforakos gave a new statement to German judicial authorities today.

One of Hristoforakos lawyers' admitted that his client's intention was to stand trial in Germany. He also said that CD's with names of Greek politicians bribed according to Hristoforakos allegations are in the hands of many people.

In the meantime, PASOK released part of Prosecutor Papaggelopoulos report on money channeled to ND party funds through the offshore Liberian company Mayo. The ND party said that justice has issued a ruling on Mayo case and mud slingers have been condemned.

News item: 24322

[04] H1N1- Infected Health Personnel

Sismanogleio hospital will not admit any H1N1 cases for the next few days while it is examining the contacts the health personnel had.

News item: 24349

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