Greek lawmakers approve austerity bill

(VOVworld)-The Greek parliament approved a deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure a second EU/IMF bailout and avoid national bankruptcy in March, as buildings burned across central Athens and violence spread around the country. Proposals in the bill include 22 percent reduction in the minimum wage, improvement of the labor market and a package on reforming taxes and pension allowances. The bill targets to cut 3.3 billion euro in public spending this year. The EU and IMF asked Greek leaders to implement austerity measures before the early general election scheduled for April. Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said that with this bill, the country has a comprehensive and reliable economic program to overcome the crisis and maintain its position in the eurozone.

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