Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Deputy foreign minister Tsiaras wraps up visit to Australia

[02] Attempted suicide at work a labour accident, court rules

[01] Deputy foreign minister Tsiaras wraps up visit to Australia

In statements at the gathering, Tsiaras declared himself positively impressed "by the exceptional energy of Australia's Greeks" during his eight-day visit, which took in the Australian cities of Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney, saying that it had given him an opportunity to "rekindle relations between the Greek state and Greek communities".amna

"Expatriate Greeks have an enviable presence in the social, scientific, economic and political affairs of Australia. Through their participation in public affairs, they have become potential ambassadors of our country and regulatory factors in the social, economic and political fields of the country," he said.

Tsiaras also referred to numerous meetings he had with Australian politicians, in which both sides had noted a desire for bilateral cooperation and agreements on a series of economic, educational and cultural issues.amna

Regarding the objections raised by many expatriates to new paperwork demanded of them by changes in Greek tax law, Tsiaras said that he had contacted Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras on this issue and learned that a six-month extension will be given for submitting the tax certificates required from residents abroad.

He pledged that the government will soon table new and simpler legislation that will not create inconvenience for Greeks living abroad and that the Greek side will strive to sign an agreement with Australia for the avoidance of double taxation.

[02] Attempted suicide at work a labour accident, court rules

The Court awarded a 50-year-old woman 60,000 euros for emotional distress and ruled that the notice of termination served by her employer was based on hatred and vengefulness, therefore it was illegal and an excessive measure.

The woman had been working since 1993 at a sausage factory in northern Greece at various capacities. In April 2008 she was asked to work additional hours and take on additional chores in other companies of the same group, which she rejected. She was constantly pressured to change her mind until June 2008, when she was asked again to do so, the pressure of which led to her cutting her veins at work. She was taken to hospital, given a two-month leave, and after returning to work was served termination papers in August 2008. amna

The court upheld an appeals court decision recognising the arduous and unusual tasks she faced. Regardless of whether the injury was self-inflicted, it was a labour accident, the court ruled, because it resulted from a sudden and violent event during the execution of her duties that would not have happened outside of her job and its execution under the specific circumstances.

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