The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Trade Unions Take to the Streets

05 Mar 2008 19:33:00 (Last updated: 05 Mar 2008 23:40:32)

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA

The Social Security bill will be debated at Parliament on Thursday, following its approval by the government committee. After the meeting, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis decribed the changes for the Social Security System a responsible decision. Moreover, he described the proposed changes positive as they aim at saving the system which has reached a deadlock. He stressed the urgency of the reforms, as the later they are implemented they deadlock will increase and the solutions, which reality will dictate will be more painful for the society and especially to the youth. Furthermore, he reported that the present government will proceed with the reform despite the political cost, adding that he prefers to prove useful to Greece even if he is not agreeable temporarily.

As per the provisions of the bill, Social Security Funds will merge, motherhood will be protected and early retirement will be discouraged. Additionally, there will be a 10% deduction of social resources, a five-year rise for retirement ages. Working mothers with a minor will retire at the age of 55, those employeed for 35 years will retire at the age of 60, while those exercising heavy-duty and unhealthy professions will retire at the age of 57. Subsidiary pension will drop to 20% of the main pension, while an 8% deduction will be implemented for every year of early retirement.

Employment Minister Fani Palli Petralia will present the Social Security bill at a Press Conference at 11:00 on Thursday. Meanwhile, Trade Unions are in turmoil, awaiting the governments announcement in order to determine their stance. The GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) Executive Committee will hold an extraordinary meeting at 14:30 Thursday to determine when they will go on strike. Meanwhile, GSEE and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) have decided to go on a 24-hour strike when the bill will be debated at Parliament.

On Wednesday, GSEE and ADEDY held a rally near Maximos Mansion, where they submitted a protest, which rejects the governments proposals as they introduce dramatic cuts on Social Security System financing, in Education, Health and Welfare, protracting political austerity and boosting taxation for employees.

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos told journalists that the Social Security reforms aim at protecting the coming generations.

Strikes Agenda

GSEE and ADEDY employees are holding a protest on 29, Stadiou Street at 10:00 Thursday, in reaction to the promoted Social Security reforms.

Employment Ministry and Social Security Fund and Bank of Greece employees will go on a strike on Thursday, while the Bank board will declare the strike illegal and improper. Meanwhile, the OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions) General Council is meeting on Thursday to decide on its future mobilizations.

Employees at municipalities will stage 24-hour strikes from Friday till 12 March.

Political Party Reactions

PASOK cadre Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou accused the government of raising retirement ages and reducing pensions and unifying Social Security Funds without any plan or dialogue with the objective to re-distribute their reserves. Moreover, she reported that in attempt to avoid public reactions it is tabling the bill in carnival time and at a period when the FYROM name issue is being negotiated.

KKE (Greek Communist Party) urges employees not to trust to the prime ministers allegations as per which the new measures aim at saving the Social Security System, affecting only special categories of privileged. In parallel, it asks from the people to react by launching rallies.

Finally, in its announcement, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) parliamentary group calls the government to abandon its plans that affect the social security rights and Funds, as well as women the youth and those exercising heavy-duty and unhealthy professions.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] London, Britain

05 Mar 2008 20:13:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: �NA-�PA-REUTERS

Oil surged Wednesday to US$104.56 a barrel after the government reported a surprise drop in crude oil stockpiles and OPEC held production levels steady, while London Brent for March contracts reached to US$101.40 a barrel. Most analysts had expected the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration to report oil supplies rose last week for the eighth straight time. Instead, they fell by 3.1 million barrels. Several analysts have attributed the rise of oil prices to the weak dollar, profiteering, geopolitical tensions in various parts of the world that are related to the oil production.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Assuming Responsibility for Arsons

Sources: ���

To Pontiki newspaper reports that it has been sent an announcement by a new organization under the name "Armed Revolutionary Action", which assumes responsibility for planting an explosive device at the Forests Agency on Sunday dawn and for launching an attack against the Argyroupolis Tax office in January 2007.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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