Troika expects 2,000 more layoffs in the public sector in 2013

Mitsotakis talked about "good progress" - The question of the extension of the second availability wave remains open - Targets and timetables for staff of public institutions and layoffs

The Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the meeting he had today with the Troika as productive. He talked about "good progress", while his colleagues say that there will be another meeting on Monday.

During the meeting both sides reviewed the country's obligations in the current period. According to the Greek side, the debate showed that there are no outstanding issues in the mobility of the public sector, the staffing plans and layoffs.

Specifically, the Troika seemed satisfied at the completion of the first mobility movement of 12,500 civil servants. Also the Greek side handed the staffing plans of 410,000 positions when the commitment was for 400,000 by the end of September.

Regarding layoffs, the goal of 2,000 by the end of September has been achieved and Troika finally accepted the layoffs at ERT.

As for the goals and timetables of other layoffs, the commitments do not change and therefore 2,000 more layoffs should come by the end of 2013 and 11,000 by the end of 2014.

Lastly, once again the two sides discussed the issue of injunctions concerning fixed term contract employees, who remain in their positions after court rulings. The Greek side reiterated its position to count the layoffs after a final judgment, but Troika will answer soon whether it will include these layoffs in the 15,000 that will have to come by the end of 2014.