Measures put forward by the Government
1. Impose public sector salary cuts as proposed by the new civil service salary scale.
2. Freeze increments received every two years according to points on the salary scale.
3. Increase the working week from 37.5 hours to 40 hours.
4. Release contract employees from work, with the aim of cutting the number of contract employees by 50% this year and by 1% every year until 2015.
5. Introduce part-time work contracts, thus reducing the compensation payable to public sector workers.
6. Establish long-term leave without allowances.
7. Apply the rule of “one appointment for every ten leaving the job” in the public service sector.
All-round intensification of the tax attack on the popular strata:
1. Impose an emergency annual contribution for all those whose incomes are above 8.000 euro per year, i.e. over 571 euro per month, until 2015.
2. Impose a “solidarity contribution” on the salaries of civil servants under the pretext of fighting unemployment. Impose a similar “solidarity contribution” on the self-employed.
3. Increase the “solidarity contribution” on the salaries of the private sector. This “solidarity contribution” is 3% at present, and is shared between employees and employers.
4. Discontinue the subsidy on heating fuel. Bring the price of heating fuel into line with the price of transport fuel. The Minister of Finance states that the implementation of this measure is under study.
5. Cut all tax reductions in force for taxpayers. These reductions have benefited especially salaried people and pensioners. The government plans to eliminate tax exemption for medical expenses, house loans, expenses for extra-mural studies, etc. Exemptions and reductions are expected to continue for some categories of taxpayers, depending on income and also depending on property ownership.
6. Require receipts as proof for living expenses. This is an achievement of the internal opposition within PASOK. It means that a person who has inherited a house and a “broken-down” vehicle will probably have to pay tax as from next year, not on the basis of his income, but on the basis that is the registered owner of these assets.
7. Increase VAT within the range of 13% to 23%. This measure will be put in force as from September 1st. This will make it impossible to enjoy a day out or go to a modest tavern, because the increase in VAT alone will raise the cost by about 9%.
8. Bring back the tax on immovable property (TAP) which provoked so much “suffering” for PASOK when it was imposed by ND. The government is reducing the tax on the tax-free part?? of the value of property of 400.000 euro that is still in force at present under the tax on Large Immovable Property, while it is considering taxing all those who have immovable property valued at 100.000 euro. What this means is that most people will now be required to pay this tax.
9. The Ministry of Finance is preparing to deal with income from illegal structures and small huts, though it has not yet made an announcement.
10. Raise road tolls.
11. In addition, as a final effort to squeeze the last drop out of the families of the people, an emergency contribution is envisaged for those who own vehicles with powerful engines, those who own immovable property of high value, marine vessels and swimming pools!
Severe cuts in pensions
A new attack on pensions:
1. Reduce drastically or even abolish supplementary pensions. It is certain that this reduction will be enforced on all supplementary pensions. The amount of the reduction will depend on the financial state of the Insurance Offices that make the payments. The government has made sure to undercut financial support for these Offices.
2. Impose a special contribution of 8% on pensions of over 1.700 euro paid to pension holders under the age of 60. Exempt only those eligible for earlier retirement, e.g. military men, policemen, etc.
3. Increase the solidarity contribution (LAFKA) on all pensions above 1.700 euro.
4. Reduce the pensions of seamens. Reduce the pension fund by 6%.
5. Slash the numbers of persons eligible for invalid pensions. Aim to reduce the number of people eligible for invalid pensions.
6 Reduce the expenditure on basic OGA pensions.
Cuts in social subsidies:
1. Cut the subsidies and benefits in Manpower Employment Organization (OAED), Worker’s Housing Organization (OEK).Link the criteria with the financial and property state of those eligible.
2 Reduce the final lump sum of retiring civil servants, who in any case receive it with a delay of almost three years, which reduces its purchasing value. According to media information, this plan envisages a direct cut of 10% in this lump sum now, and there will be a further reduction of about 10% in 2012 and 2013.
Further commercialization of the health system
The government is further restricting opportunities for the insured to use prescribed medicines to solve their health problems. At the same time, it is more than obvious that the government is trying to pursue a policy of enlarging the involvement of private insurance companies in the Health sector and in nursing. The “Plan” envisages:
1. Increase the income of hospitals, most probably by putting even more new pressure on the Public Insurance Offices of the working people, and at the same time making special agreements with private insurance companies.
2.Impose obligatory charges on all foreigners for services offered.
3 Impose further and broader restrictions on medical services for the uninsured.
4. Extend the list of medicines which do not require prescriptions, i.e. these are medicines that are not covered by the Public Insurance Offices.
