Posted on 02/23/2012 4:16:21 PM PST by bruinbirdman
“180,000 real bankruptcies” reported Avyi’s headline. The paper cited a study that predicts tens of thousands of small business closures, with the loss of 240,000 jobs, in 2012.
The long road of implementation of Greece’s structural reforms and of the unprecedented austerity of the bailout programme has begun with parliamentary votes on enabling bills detailing how the measures will be implemented.
Dailies focused on the wage and pension cuts and the massive layoffs that lie ahead.
New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras’ intention of reinstating the MPs that he expelled for voting down the new bailout garnered broad attention.
It was the last of many flip flops for the ND leader, who now wants to marshal all his troops for the electoral battle ahead.
Some of those expelled were among his closest advisors.
Premier Lucas Papademos’ refusal to accept the resignation of Culture Minister Pavlos Yeroulanos also captured attention. Yeroulanos – one of Pasok leader George Papandreou’s closest advisors – resigned after the armed robbery at the archaeological museum of Olympia, which came on the heels of the robbery at the National Gallery.
That Yeroulanos did not insist on his resignation led many to believe it was just a PR move. For citizens, it was yet another glaring example of the fact that their politicians never really assume responsibility for anything.
The uproar continued in the press over an unidentified MP who last year transferred one million euros from a Greek to a Swiss account. There has been massive pressure for parliament to reveal the name. Many MPs want the name released, as they feel that all politicians are now under suspicion.
“Wanted: Mr 1 million euros” declared Ta Nea’s headline, regarding the wealthy MP who just couldn’t trust the Greek banking system.
“180,000 real bankruptcies” reported Avyi’s headline. The paper cited a study that predicts tens of thousands of small business closures, with the loss of 240,000 jobs, in 2012.
Another story reported that the labour minister admitted that the new memorandum will deal a terrible blow to insurance funds. The 22 percent cut in the minimum wage means a whopping 6.5bn euro drop in revenues every year. That means that a new insurance reform – with more pension cuts – is on the cards.
Government spokesman Pantelis Kapsis this morning announced that new measures (meaning austerity) for the years 2013-2014 must be taken in June, suggesting that things will only get worse for Greeks in the future.
“March the skinner” read Eleftheros Typos’ headline, which referred to the austerity measures that will skin the middle class. The report spoke of the wage cuts that result from the 22 percent reduction of the minimum wage – all the higher wage brackets are pared down as well. The report said that sectoral contracts are going to essentially be abolished by the end of May, signalling the demolition of labour rights in Greece.
“sectoral contracts are going to essentially be abolished by the end of May, signalling the demolition of labour rights in Greece.”
I don’t think the unions will go quietly....
We would probably be shocked to know how many congress people have precious metals stashed somewhere.
“The uproar continued in the press over an unidentified MP who last year transferred one million euros from a Greek to a Swiss account. ..... , as they feel that all politicians are now under suspicion..”
Here the “transfer” is in huge insulated bureaucratic and government connected salaries and pensions. Meaning, they stay above the effects of inflation, and more important, have exempted themselves from : Arbeitsziehungslager.
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