Social Security debate in the United States

The measures introduced by the government to support incomes were significant, however, they could make up for the high cost incurred by employers due to social security contributions.

A plan by the government to extend the operation of the automatic fiscal mechanism beyond 2018, with the inclusion of cuts to pensions and the tax-free ceiling, which Athens had intended as a compromise solution with the country's creditors, is coming up against resistance from the International Monetary Fund for the moment.

Commissioner Pierre Moscovici’s timetable for completing the negotiations at the end of March complicates Greek government’s plans that is in a hurry to close the open issue of social security reform by the end of February.

Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos discussed all main issues of social security reform with the representatives of institutions, but all of them are still open.

“We discussed in depth the issues and the negotiation was tough” M. Katorugalos stated after the meeting hoping that negotiations would turn up in favor of the Greek society.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday addressed Parliament on the government’s proposed social security reforms, noting that all the political parties were obliged to adopt a position on an issue of such gravity as the sustainability of Greece’s social security system.

Addressing Greek Parliament during Tuesday’s off-the-agenda debate on reforming Greece’s social security system, main opposition New Democracy new leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis lashed out at the government accusing Prime Minister of “turning hope into despair.”

Representatives of farmers at 37 protest road blocks in Greece decided that they will further escalate their protest actions against the reforms on social security system and tax measures that the government proposes, after a meeting at the Nikaia Arts Centre in central Greece.

Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos considers new proposals for the bill on social security reform regarding the self-employed and scientists following the intense social reaction emerged due to the new bill.

Mr. Katrougalos examines the following scenarios:

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) is continuing its tactics of “divide and conquer” by pitting one vulnerable social group against another following its failure to find equitable and viable solutions to social security problems.

Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction Panagiotis Kouroumplis announced that the electoral law would change in 2016 confirming an article published by “Proto Thema” on that issue.