Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-03 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] The truth about social security contributions-gov't sources [02] Social security contributions will not rise, Deputy Labour Min says [03] The government is planning to hire teachers, ANA's sources --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] The truth about social security contributions-gov't sources Labour Minister Efi Achtsioglou and representatives of the social security funds will hold a press conference on Tuesday noon to present the new single social security fund, according to government sources. The same sources said that it strikes as odd that some are trying to terrorize the employees and nobody has referred to the positive impact of the new security system on low incomers. [02] Social security contributions will not rise, Deputy Labour Min says Deputy Labour Minister Tassos Petropoulos on Tuesday in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency's radio station Praktoreio stressed that social security contributions will not increase. Petropoulos explained that the contributions will be linked with the real income of the employees. Asked whether the creation of a single social security fund will put at risk employees, he ruled out that possibility and stressed that the organisations will be strengthened. [03] The government is planning to hire teachers, ANA's sources The government is planning to hire teachers in the primary and secondary education system, sources said on Tuesday. More specifically, the government will discuss the issue next week, according to sources of the Athens-Macedonian News Agency's (ANA). Education Minister Costas Gavroglou in a statement to ANA stressed that "the priority that the government gives to education issues is given." These hirings have the consent of the institutions, sources confirmed.