Social law

A circular issued on Thursday by the Labor and Social Security Ministry opens the way for the long-anticipated payment of outstanding pensions but also provides for an average cut of 15-20 percent to the pensions of those who retired after May 13, 2016, when the new legislative framework cleared Parliament.

An internal document by the director of the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA), Thanasis Bakalexis, which was leaked to the Greek press opn Thursday, revealed that the new fund is unable to issue all 150,000 pending pensions by October, which it must do in order for the entity to receive the 869 million euros from the program for the payment of the state's expired debts, as agreed with the co

Freelance workers who get paid by one or two employers through invoice books for services rendered (known as "blokakia") will now pay the same amount in social security contributions as salary workers, according to a circular released on Tuesday by the Labor Ministry in an effort to tackle the major practical problems generated by (as well as the huge reaction to) recent legislation.

The pensions of some 70,000 Greeks who can retire within 2017 will be reduced by up to 20 percent.

Approximately 650,000 farmers are expected to receive notices for their new hiked contributions covering the first half of 2016. Following a series of changes and tweaks, the new system for calculating contributions for professionals, farmers and scientists will take effect as of January 1, 2017.

The budget commission has rejected the proposal of the deputies of the Patriotic Front for a minimum pension of BGN 300.

The Patriotic Front had offered two options for an increase of pensions next year. The first option was for a minimum pension of BGN 200 and recalculation of the rest of the pensions as of April 1. The other option was for a minimum pension of BGN 300 as of July 1.

According to experts, one in two pensioners and, in total, seven out of 10 social security fund members will foot the bill of the pension reform that was passed into law on Sunday night.

Municipal employees will stage sit-ins on Thursday at public buildings, municipal parking lots, landfills and town halls around the country to protest the government's planned pension reforms.

The range of supplementary pension cuts was the main issue of the discussion between Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and the representatives of the institutions after lenders’ refusal to accept any increase in insurance contributions.

Greek Labour Ministry is being prepared for the negotiation talks with Greece’s lenders that are expected to take place in March leaving all options open concerning the social security reform.