Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-02-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM chairs meeting on illegal immigration

[02] Gov't talks with 'troika'

[03] Police prevent farmers' protest

[04] ASE opening: Small rise

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines 

[01] PM chairs meeting on illegal immigration

The main issue, according to government assessments, is to retrieve illegal migrants from "obscurity", and arrive at a figure, while proposals were also made on the imposition of tougher sanctions on employers hiring illegal immigrants.

The government's position is for the various categories and cases of immigrants to be evaluated, including those who are in a "state of tolerance" (residence over a brief period of time), while also taking into consideration the fact that several foreign embassies in Athens are not assisting transient illegal migrants, who are also nationals of the countries represented by those embassies.

On the question of the repatriation of illegals to their home countries, the government's volition is for the law to be implemented. (ÁÍÁ-ÌPA)

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[02] Gov't talks with 'troika'

The representatives of the IMF, ECB and the European Commission asked for measures to promote work time and limited time contracts, which are commitments included in a memorandum signed between Greece and the troika. The ministry, conversely, views current regulations as adequate, with more negotiation is expected on the issue.

The troika members did not ask for any new legislative initiatives, nor set timetables, although discussions were set to continue on a technical level and the troika could present more specific proposals during their next meeting in three months.

Ministry officials stressed there was a "red line" covered by European labour laws, which was generally accepted by the troika delegation. Both sides confirmed their will to promote implementation of new legislation on signing business labour contracts. Ministry officials, however, noted that the government was determined to insist on safeguarding the collective representation of employees in negotiations over signing such contracts. (ÁÍÁ-MPA)

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[03] Police prevent farmers' protest

The farmers arrested had succeeded, through detours, to cross a riot police "barricade" a short way from the Petritsi bridge in order to reach the Promahonas border station through Angistri.

At the same time, tension was created between police, farmers and passing motorists, when riot police prevented the passing of all vehicles to and from the Promahonas border station, shortly before the Petritsi bridge. (ANA-MPA)

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[04] ASE opening: Small rise

Individual sector indices were moving mostly upward, with the biggest gains in Mass Media, up 2.52 percent; and Commerce, up 2.03 percent.

The biggest losses were in Food & Beverage, down 1.51 percent; and Public Utilities, down 1.02 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 0.16 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 1.49 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 1.02 percent.

Of the stocks traded, 58 were up, 19 were down, and 25 were unchanged.

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[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Economic issues and the government's deliberations with the visiting EU/IMF 'troika' inspectors were the main front-page items in Athens' dailies on Tuesday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Legalisation of 800,000 unlicensed buildings".

AVGHI: "They're 'sweeping away' the branch labor contracts".

AVRIANI: "Government and 'guilds' bring the people to despair".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Government: 'Yes to all' to troika demands for new cuts in salaries, pensions".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Guide to survival in IKA (state Social Security Foundation) chaos".

ESTIA: "Restructuring from scratch".

ETHNOS: "War with troika over the (private sector) salaries".

IMERISSIA: "Crash test for stockmarket - T-bill issue interest rate the 'key'."

KATHIMERINI: "Tension points multiplying".

LOGOS: "Health system in intensive care..."

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Tax audits with objective criteria being planned".

NIKI: "Defence line for private sector bonuses".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Resistance to the policy that wants the patients to be customers".

TA NEA: "Point system for professionals".

VRADYNI: "Putting the working people through the grinder".

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