Greek parliament passes bill to cut 15,000 state jobsApril 29, 2013 - 09:29 AMT 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |