Recent press reports citing unnamed sources in Brussels and referring to an ultimatum by the European Commission for immediate dismissals of 25,000 Greek public sector workers are absolutely without foundation,” said Simon O’Connor, spokesman for European Commission Vice President Olli Rehn reports Kathimerini.

Asked whether Greece needs to lay off public sector workers in order to secure the next sub-tranche from the bailout mechanism, O’Connor pointed out that “the commitments as regards the public sector work force are clearly set out in the updated memorandum of understanding (MoU).”

As part of moves to reduce the public sector work force by 150,000 by 2015 compared to the 2010 level, 25,000 government employees will be put in the mobility scheme in 2013 – of which half (i.e. 12,500) will be placed in the scheme in the first half of 2013, adds O'Connor.