Deadline expires for state downsize list - The Best from Greece

An extended deadline expires today for agencies in the public sector to submit lists of employees eligible for suspension, as part of a troubled government cost-cutting scheme.

 

The so-called labour reserve – suspending civil servants for up to a year on 60 percent pay – has been delayed by poor compliance from public sector managers, with unions fiercely opposed to the scheme, arguing it will pave the way to mass sackings and push up unemployment which has already surged to 18.4 percent.

 

Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has promised to speed up structural reforms, including measures to slash public sector payrolls, merge organisations and improve efficiency.

 

More than 750,000 Greeks have a state salary with at least 100,000 more employed on short-term contracts – out of a shrinking workforce of just more than 4 million, with 900,000 people out of work and 4.4 million dependents. (Athens News/gw)