Greek government pledges quick passage for bailout reforms

Greece's left-wing government says it has given itself a 25-day deadline to push through a series of major reforms demanded by bailout lenders.

Government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili said Tuesday the cost-cutting measures requiring parliamentary or Cabinet approval would be passed by Nov. 15.

She made the pledge as bailout inspectors from the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission were due back in Athens. French President Francois Holland is also due to visit Greece on Thursday and Friday for bailout-related talks.

The Greek government is about a third of the way through early implementation goals required by lenders in order for Greece to get a massive, third bailout. It is looking for alternatives to agreed-upon tax hikes on private school fees and rental income.

Facing general strikes

Greek civil servants union ADEDY on Tuesday called a 24-hour general strike for Nov. 12 in protest at pension reforms required under Greece's latest bailout deal with its international lenders.

On Monday, private sector union GSEE called a strike for the same day, adding to a groundswell of public discontent at a raft of tax hikes and pension cutbacks that Athens has had to make under the terms of the 86 billion euro ($97.7 billion) bailout, its third since 2010.

The left-wing government has passed legislation raising the retirement age, increasing contributions for health care and scrapping most early retirement benefits. It also plans to merge a multitude of pension funds into one and cut back on supplementary pensions.

ADEDY, which represents about 650,000 public sector workers, said the pension reforms would deal the 'final blow' to funds which had already been depleted over the years.