In Brief
Unions to continue talks on social security reform The general council of the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) yesterday backed with a large majority the continuation of talks with the government on social security reform, «in the framework of clear proposals regarding parametric changes and securing a surplus for the system on the basis of tripartite funding.» GSEE said it will seek the signing and the voting of a bill on a National Social Pact after completion of the dialogue, otherwise it will fight to attain the above objectives. The council also approved the new two-year labor agreement which will be co-signed with employers at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Meanwhile, negotiations between banks and employees for a separate labor agreement appear on a tightrope after five fruitless rounds of negotiations lasting almost two months. The two sides are scheduled to have another, crucial meeting today. Banks, faced with lower 2001 profits, are offering only 2 percent compared to 5.4 percent gained by GSEE for this year. A consensus-oriented but doubtful scenario provides for a 4-percent raise, a reduction of weekly working hours to 37 and an extension of business hours to 32.5 per week. Intralot to set up US subsidiary Gaming systems operator Intralot said yesterday it will set up a subsidiary company in the US in an effort to penetrate the market for games of chance, continuing to expand abroad. The new company will be based in Atlanta, Intralot’s management told shareholders at the annual assembly. Intralot, which develops software and supports online networks for games of chance, operates in Romania, Moldova and Yugoslavia and has closed deals recently in Peru and Chile. Management told shareholders it expects 20 percent earnings growth in 2002, with group sales advancing about 15 percent. (Reuters) Cheapest gasoline and diesel Greece has the cheapest gasoline and diesel fuel in the European Union, according to data for March released by the International Tourism Association (AIT). The price of lead-free gasoline was 0.71 euro/lt in Greece, 0.77 euro/lt in Luxembourg, 0.81 euro/lt in Ireland and Spain, and 1.15 euro/lt in the Netherlands, where it is the most expensive. The price of diesel in Greece and Portugal was 0.65 euro/lt. Employment Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas unveils the government’s National Employment Action Plan for 2002 at the Labor Ministry (2 Pireos St) at 2 p.m. today. After a meeting with Prime Minister Simitis yesterday, Reppas said unemployment is declining and will continue to do so, helped by EU investment subsidies and Olympics projects. Azerbaijan gas BAKU – Azerbaijan could start supplying Greece with up to 1.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas in 2006-2007 through a planned BP-led export pipeline running to Turkey and on through Europe, the head of Azeri state oil firm (SOCAR), Natik Alyev, told journalists after talks with Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochadzopoulos. (Reuters)
