The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

South African Workers plan further strike..[ 1662 ]

Workers plan further South Africa strike

Union members rally in Durban, South Africa, on August 17. The
country has seen widespread strikes in recent weeks.

Union members rally in Durban, South Africa, on August 17. The country has seen widespread strikes in recent weeks.

By Les Neuhaus, CNN

August 18, 2010 -- Updated 1058 GMT (1858 HKT)

(CNN) -- More than 1 million workers are planning a countrywide strike in South Africa on Wednesday, according to an official with a public sector union.

Nomusa Cembi, of the South African Democratic Teachers Union -- an affiliate of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) -- said hospital, education and civil servants demanded better compensation and benefits from their government.

"We are trying to bring them to their knees," Cembi told CNN by phone from Johannesburg, referring to the South African government. "We took a decision yesterday that we would go on strike indefinitely until our employer gives us a better offer."

She said the strike was intended to raise wages to 8.6 percent and that they wanted a 1,000 Rand ($138) per month housing allowance. They also want those improvements to be backdated to April 1 of this year.

Cembi said medical benefits were also part of the negotiating standoff.

The last offer by the South African government, according to Cembi, came last week when a 7 percent wage hike was proffered, along with a 700 Rand a month housing allowance.

"Our organization has rejected their offer," Cembi said.

It was unclear how long the strike might continue.

Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Last week public sector workers went on strike across South Africa, closing schools, impacting hospital staffing and wreaking havoc across a wide array of public services.

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