Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Greece Approves Scheme to Fire Thousands of Workers Greece has narrowly approved a round of lay-offs and wage cuts, affecting thousands of public workers. Parliament passed the sweeping bill of reforms early Thursday by a vote of 153 lawmakers in favor with 140 opposed. The bill gives 25,000 public workers eight months to find other jobs or get laid off. The passage of the reforms bill enables Greece to receive $8.9 billion in rescue aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. The reforms package triggered a week of almost daily marches, rallies and strikes in protest. The vote came just hours before German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble`s scheduled visit to Athens. He is Europe`s leading austerity proponent. Many Greeks blame Schaeuble for their woes since the debt crisis hit in 2009. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/greece-approves-scheme-to-fire-thousa nds-of-workers/1704181.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/greece-approves-scheme-to-fire-thousands-of-workers/1704181.html