Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-03-03
CONTENTS
[01] Alt. Social Insurance Minister: The government's political will is
the implementation of Thessaloniki programme
[01] Alt. Social Insurance Minister: The government's political will is
the implementation of Thessaloniki programme
ANA/MPA---The Thessaloniki programme can be implemented in its entirety,
Alternate Minister for Social Insurance Dimitris Stratoulis on Tuesday
told Skai TV, adding that the government's political will is the
implementation of the announcements made in Thessaloniki.
"Like it or not, we will be judged by that," he stated adding the
Thessaloniki programme will be implemented gradually.
He added that the government's aim remains the write-off of a big part
of the debt, as this is the only way to render it sustainable. He did
not rule out the possibility that Athens may have to settle for an
intermediate solution.
Stratoulis reiterated that pensions will not be reduced and reassured
that social security funds have the necessary funds. The new settlement
for overdue debt, he said, will bring an extra 400 million euros to the
state coffers compared to the settlement of the previous government.
He reiterated the restitution of the 13th pension for pensioners below
700 euros, which will be paid for the first time in December 2015.
Regarding the minimum wage, he said that it will be gradually restored
in 2016 and added the draft law for collective labour agreements will
be tabled in Parliament in the next two weeks.
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