Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-05-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Series of strikes

[02] ASE opening: Decline

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Series of strikes

Trade unionists say the measures loot the incomes and seriously undermine labour and insurance rights.

On Wednesday, the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) has declared a 24-hour strike that combined with that of ADEDY is converted into a general strike. There will be a strike rally in Athens that will begin from Pedion tou Areos park at 11:00 in the morning.

On the same day, the GSEBEE and ESEE employer associations representing traders, freelance professionals and small business owners have decided to close their shops and businesses from 9:00 until 3:00 in the afternoon.

Also on Wednesday, the Panhellenic Seamen's Union (PNO) will hold a 24-hour strike that will keep ships docked in port throughout the day.

The strikers will be joined by journalists in the mass media, who have declared a 24-hour strike from 6:00 on Wednesday morning until 6:00 on Thursday, based on a decision by the Panhellenic Federations of Journalists' Unions and other press-sector unions.

[02] ASE opening: Decline

Individual sector indices were moving mostly downward, with the biggest gains in Telecoms, up 0.48 percent; and Raw Materials, up 0.46 percent.

The biggest losses were in Mass Media, down 4.69 percent; and Banks, down 1.35 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was down 1.48 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was down 0.51 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was down 0.71 percent.

Of the stocks traded, 25 were up, 46 were down, and 20 were unchanged.

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The government's new austerity measures ahead of the activation of the EU support mechanism and reactions, and the labour and social security draft bills to be tabled on Tuesday in parliament, mostly dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Detailed chart presents the cutbacks in pensions".

APOGEVMATINI: "Illegal buildings not included in town planning blueprints will be legalised in order for the state to collect 1.3 billion euros (from fines)".

AVGHI: "The minimum salary in the private sector down 25 percent - Collective labour agreements in the freezer".

AVRIANI: "Self-destruction of the parties leading the country to bankruptcy and time for national necessity government before the people's outrage breaks out".

ELEFTHEROS: "Minimum salary axed by 100 euros - Government's plan on the labour rights".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Three social security funds on verge of collapse".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Government hastens to stem off mass exodus from public sector".

ESTIA: "The reactions to the measures underline the streamlining of the economy".

ETHNOS: "Illegally enclosed semi-balconies now...favour the IMF (requirements)".

IMERISSIA: "Express privatisations".

KATHIMERINI: "Citizens' agony, incompetent politicians".

LOGOS: "Mass exodus from public sector - Government announces on Tuesday the harsh measures on labour and pensions".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Support in 'installments' and monitoring of performance".

NIKI: "10 plus 1 useful hints for early retirement".

RIZOSPASTIS: "The people must devastate them - All together in Wednesday's strike".

TA NEA: "Professionals to pay extraordinary contribution - Government gives explanations and prepares new measures".

TO VIMA: "Extraordinary contribution by the professionals, too - Revelation: the assistance agreement document".

VRADYNI: "Austerity measures in private sector too - Troika (European Commission, ECB, IMF) preannounces additional austerity measures".

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