Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-06-30

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Parliament ratifies capital market bill and bank employees' social security arrangements

[01] Parliament ratifies capital market bill and bank employees' social security arrangements

The arrticles concerning the bank employees' social security system and voluntary retirement from OTE were ratified with the roll call voting process as requested by the main opposition PASOK party.

Out of 286 deputies present (Parliament has a total of 300 deputies), the articles (with the exception of article 74 regarding voluntary retirement) were ratified with the votes of 164 deputies (belonging to the ruling New Democracy party) and were voted against by 122 deputies (PASOK; Communist Party of Greece; Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology; and by Stefanos Manos).

Article 74 on voluntary retirement from OTE was ratified with the votes of 165 deputies (those of ND and by Stefanos Manos), while they were voted against by 121 deputies (PASOK, the Communist Party and the Coalition party).

ND Deputy of State Miltiades Evert did not attend the voting process, but reiterated in a letter to Parliament's directorate that he votes against article 59.

An amendment tabled by Manos for banks to assume the deficits of funds was also rejected by a majority vote.

Banks will be open on Friday

Banks will open on Friday following the decision of the bank staff union OTOE to suspend the rolling strike which has been going on for the past two weeks.

OTOE's General Council decided to suspend the strike since the controversial bill regarding pension reform in the sector will be voted on in Parliament on Thursday evening.

However, OTOE said that bank employees will be ready to proceed with further strikes should any bank try to implement the new pension arrangement.

The union also said that legal action will be taken to render the bill - if it is passed - unconstitutional.

Finally, bank employees will participate in a two-hour work stoppage on Wednesday in a sign of solidarity towards retail shop employees who will be striking in order to protest the government's recent decision to extend shop hours.

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