PPC selloff bill approved by Parl’t panel as staff continue strike [Update]
A bill outlining the part-privatization of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) was approved at the committee level in Parliament on Friday with coalition MPs, from New Democracy and PASOK, voting in favor and opposition committee members rejecting the draft.
The bill was approved by the committee after Environment and Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis submitted a series of amendments, setting a minimum price and guaranteeing workers’ jobs for five years. Debate of the legislation is to continue at the plenary level with a vote expected to take place in Parliament next Wednesday.
Meanwhile PPC workers said they were determined to continue with strike action in protest at the bill, which has prompted “controlled” power cuts, irrespective of the outcome of a court ruling that was expected later in the day after PPC appealed for the strike to be deemed illegal and abusive.
There were no significant problems with power supply on Friday as strong winds fuelled wind parks and created extra supply.
