The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Teachers Abstain from Test Grading

After a long meeting, members of the administration board of High School Teachers Union decided with only one vote difference to continue abstention from National Exams grading centers till next Friday. A new meeting will be held on Thursday to decide on further mobilizations. High School Teachers will gather at the Finance Ministry on Thursday to protest against cuts in payments of teachers involved in National exams. The president of the Teachers' union, Dimitris Peppes told reporters that the Education Ministry has satisfied one their demands-payment of teachers involved in exams for admission to tertiary education - but still protest against cuts in their earnings.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA/ÌPA

News item: 37684

[02] Light in the Tunnel

Finance and Health Ministers reached an agreement in principal with suppliers of hospital material for the settlement of state hospital debts. The agreement provides for full payment of 2005-2006 debt till the end of June. The Finance Ministry has proposed 1-3 no interest state bonds for the payment of the remaining sum 5.3 billion euros regarding 2007-2009 debts. Representatives of suppliers appeared positive to this move but asked a few days to discuss the proposal with the regional unions.

Ministers ask for immediate delivery of hospital material

In a meeting of Finance and Health Ministers with representatives of hospital material suppliers all parties agreed to payment in cash (1.2 billion euros) for debts covering 2005, 2006 and part of 2007. The settlement of remaining debt is the following:

-Remaining debt for 2005 and 2006 mounting to 245 million euros will be paid cash soon. -Debt mounting to 1,1 billion euros for 2007 will be paid in 0% interest one year bonds. - Debt mounting to 2,2 billion euros for 2008 will be paid in 0% interest two year bonds. - Debt mounting to 2,05 billion euros for 2009 will be paid in 0% interest three year bonds.

They also decided to pay cash a further debt mounting to 100 million euros for 2007-2008 which is about 300.000 euros for each company involved with hospital supplies.

The bonds are negotiable and can be liquidated at banks.

Finance Minister G. Papakonstantinou said we paid off past debts and left behind procedures affecting patients, hospitals and Greek citizens.

Health Minister M. Xenoyiannakopoulou said "the government assumed its responsibilities, all should assume responsibilities for normalization of hospital supplies. The agreement must be ratified by the competent bodies of all involved sectors.

Close aides of the two ministers warned that the issue would be transferred to the competence of other ministry in the event suppliers did not cover the immediate needs of hospitals.

News item: 37682

[03] No Metro Service on Wednesday

Commuters in Athens are to face problems on Wednesday and Thursday due to strike mobilizations announced by employees in all means of Mass Transport .

The Attiko Metro Union is staging a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in protest against the economic measures and the company's refusal to renew work contracts of 250 colleagues. On the grounds of Public Administration Inspector, Leandros Rakintzis report, their contracts can not be renewed since they were illegally hired during pre-election campaign.

Attiko Metro employees will gather at 07:00, on Wednesday outside the company's headquarters in Sepolia to avert a meeting of the Administration Board which will decide on the future of the 250 trainees.

On Thursday, employees in all means of mass transport have announced 5-hour abstention (11:00-16:00) in protest against salary cuts, reforms in social security.

Sources: ÍÅÔ105.8 ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 37671

[04] Spreads Widened in Response to Moody's Move

Moody's Investors Service downgraded Greece's debt rating by four notches to Ba1 from A3. after a similar move by Standard & Poor's in April. In response to Moody's move spreads on Greece's bonds widened. The widening spread shows that traders are asking to be paid more to assume the risk of holding Greece's debt. The gap between Greek and comparable German bonds reached 650 basis points from 595 on Monday. Greece's downgrading led to Spanish bonds widening . The Athens Stock Market opened with 2.18% losses on Tuesday but soon recovered to pass into positive territory, indicating that last days dynamic still holds despite Moody's downgrading. EU Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn, however, launched an attack against the rating agency describing it as "weird ". In the same line were reactions of Finance Minister and Greek banks.

Sources:ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 37677

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