by Calculated Risk on 10/02/2011 04:46:00 PM
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Greece to cut 30,000 public sector jobs, miss deficit targets
From the Financial Times: Greek cabinet approves budget cuts
[Finance Minister] Venizelos has agreed to eliminate 30,000 public sector jobs by December ... About 23,000 workers nearing retirement will lose their positions. Another 7,000 will be made redundant after mergers and restructurings ... “Given that we’re taking such tough measures ... the sixth tranche is assured.” [said Venizelos]Cutting jobs means putting workers into "reserve" and they are still paid 60% of their salary.
excerpt with permission
And from Deutche Welle: Greece misses EU and IMF deficit targets
Greece announced late Sunday that its budget deficit will reach 8.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, below the initial target of 7.6 percent.The troika is still working on pay cuts for higher-paid officials.
According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, Greece will manage to bring the budget deficit down to 6.8 per cent of GDP next year, but it will still miss the bailout target of 6.5 per cent of GDP.
"Because three critical months remain for the completion of the financial year 2011, and the final estimate of 8.5 per cent of GDP deficit can be achieved if the state mechanism and citizens respond accordingly," the finance ministry statement said.
Yesterday:
• Summary for Week Ending Sept 30th
• Schedule for Week of Oct 2nd