Greek parliament passes bill to cut 15,000 state jobs

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Greek parliament has passed a bill which will see 15,000 state employees lose their jobs by the end of next year, BBC News reported.

The bill passed by 168 votes to 123, and had the support of the three parties making up the ruling coalition. It is part of continuing moves by the center-right government to cut costs and ensure more bailout money from international creditors.

But it was vociferously opposed by protesters outside parliament.

The new law will overturn what had been a constitutional guarantee for civil servants of a job for life Some 2,000 civil servants will lose their jobs by the end of June, another 2,000 by the end of the year, and a further 11,000 by the end of 2014.

The law is a condition for Greece to receive its next tranche of loans worth 8.8bn euros ($11.4bn). Eurozone officials will now meet on Monday, April 9 to approve the overdue release of 2.8bn euros, said Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras.

The remaining 6bn euros will be paid on May 13, he added.