The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Employers-GSEE Argue on Salary Rises

Employers unions during their meeting on Tuesday with GSEE for the signing of a new collective labour contract asked for a three-year contract with zero rises for at least the current year. On its part GSEE asked for shielding of salaries from inflation, rise in unemployment compensation and lower rates of lay offs of employees above 50 years old. The two sides agreed to retain basic salary and provide entitlements for low salary earners. They have set a new meeting on June, 14.

Negotiations on salaries in the private sector and maintenance of collective negotiations opened in the shadow of tough restrictions imposed by the memorandum.

Employers propose three-year contracts with zero rises in 2010, open to small rises in the two year period 2011-2012, inclusion of 13 and 14 salaries in the contract and provide entitlement for basic salary

"We have proved our willingness to prevent salary cuts" said SEV president Dimitris Daskalopoulos , who once again stressed that provisions on labour relations included in the memorandum"which is a state law" should be kept without deviations.

"To ensure 13 and 14 salaries, protect annual income and ensure stable payment in the private sector for the next three years" said B. Korkidis, president of the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce. He also stressed "under the present circumstances Social Partners are obliged to agree, sign and keep in force a new National Collective Labour Contract whose importance is much higher than in any other time in the past".

GSEE requests salary rises in accordance with inflation rate and one year collective labour contract while it believes that the 13 and 14 salaries have been secured.

In response to a relevant question, Mr. Daskalopoulos assured that basic salary would stand at 740 euros underlining that the former collective agreement is fully observed.

"It is clear that the present basic salary is in force whether a new collective agreement is signed or not", he said.

Employees in certain sectors, where contracts have been denounced, fear their contracts could turn into individual and see not only cut in lower salary but also alterations depending on the sector and region.

Employers' unions-GSEE have set a new meeting on June, 14.

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

Related News: Tough Talks on Labour Affairs

News item: 37163

[02] PM Chairs Meeting on Social Security

Prime-minister G. Papandreou chairs a meeting at the Maximos Mansion focused on Social Security system attended by State Minister Haris Paboukis, Employment Minister A. Loberdos and deputy-president Th. Pagalos. Talks center on the calculation of pensions, particularly after Troika's letter to Mr. Loberdos requesting new reforms. In his statements, the government spokesman underlined the need for effective resolution of the social security system or else the state not only would be unable to pay pensions of next generations but also next pensions.

In the meantime, competent ministers involved with reforms in socials security system will meet with Troika experts on June, 16. In response to whether Troika assessment in June was self-evidently favourable, government spokesman G. Petalotis said nothing was self-evident, adding though that the government was optimistic as state deficit has dropped above the target set.

"The social security is a major issue that only this government has opened it to such extent. The government has realized the need for vertical and definite resolution otherwise not only next generations will not recieve pensions but also be unable to pay next pensions. Therefore limiting talks on social security, after so many daily talks, is unfair to the substance of talks". George Petalotis

Referring to social security issue, government spokesman said: "we adhere to what is agreed within the frame of the memorandum".

Specifically he said: " promotion of draft-bill on social security has not frozen till talks with Troika. This is apparent from daily talks on the draft-bill. When we are facing a social security system with many changes, with what we knew changing, I believe that the competent minister is not considering political cost and proceeding to integration of the draft-bill " .

According to the government spokesman statements', we gather that it is not a question of negotiations implementation or not of some Troika "instructions" on reforms in the social security to which we object but a matter of strong arguments.

"Because we can not hold negotiations to create impressions, we want a viable social security system, as fair as possible to ensure social security rights of all workers", he explained.

George Patalotis said that Employment Minister A. Loberdos had requested the meeting with the Prime-minister in order " to ensure the best development of the legislative initiative".

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 37157

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