PM confers with ADEDY on civil servants' issues

[Ellinas]

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis conferred on Tuesday with the presidium of the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY umbrella organization of civil servants' unions), at a meeting that was also attended by interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, in an ongoing round of discussions with the social partners ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) next week, where the economic policy for the following year is traditionally unveiled by the prime minister.

A review was made during the meeting of progress made in civil service issues at institutional level, while Pavlopoulos told reporters afterwards that the rights and obligations of the civil servants have been fully consolidated institutionally. He noted that the new system of promotions has entered into effect as of the beginning of the year, while the civil servants' training and education system has also been consolidated.

Pavlopoulos also said that the dialogue with ADEDY on public administration matters would continue.

ADEDY president Spyros Papaspyros told reporters afterwards said the umbrella organization was seeking a minimum salary of 1,300 euros per month, and immediate advancement of the relevant civil servants' salary scale, as well as the establishment of a minimum guaranteed income, which would initially be set at 900 euros per month.

"The resources exist. The key is fairness in the taxation system," Papaspyros said.

"We will not settle for subsidies and poverty funds," Papaspyros said, adding that "the unemployed, the pensioners, the working people are witnessing the failure of an economic cycle".

He said a reverse redistribution of incomes and social services was necessary, adding that "we want more jobs and full-time work positions, and an end to 'hunger' pensions and salaries".

Papaspyros further called for "harmonization" of government policy with its commitments, and a correctional salary increase for losses of income in 2008.

The ADEDY leader further said that after the TIF and before voting on the new state budget in parliament, there would be a discussion with the government on the civil servants' salary scale, adding that ADEDY was planning labor action after the TIF.

ANA