The Hellenic Parliament yesterday endorsed in principle a bill to reform the pension system for public-sector staff. 289 deputies of the 300-member House participated in the vote. 157 from the ruling PASOK voted in favour, while 129 opposition deputies voted against.

The debate on proposed pension system reforms began in Parliament yesterday, following a series of changes unveiled by Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou who "incorporated constructive views and proposals by the parties."

The draft law broadly calls for retirement of public-sector staff at 65 for men and women alike, or retirement at 60 for those that have paid 40 years worth of pension contributions. State employees are staging a work-frieze from 11 a.m. until the end of the working day, when voting is expected to conclude.