Labor Ministry

Greek taxpayers are this year set to declare the lowest amount in taxable incomes (for 2020) since the country entered the eurozone in 2001, with that figure not even expected to surpass 70 billion euros.

The Labor Ministry plan to accelerate the issue of outstanding pensions provides for the contribution of the private sector and experienced officials at the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA), with the assistance of modern technologies.

The twin health and financial crisis is having a dramatic impact on the labor market and the lives of workers who amid increasing uncertainty about their jobs also suffered a salary cut of as much as 20% in many cases.

Just a few days before the government opens its mass vaccination program against Covid-19 to the general population, authorities are concerned about tens of thousands of people whose social characteristics could prevent them from getting the jab.

The children of pensioners granted retroactive dues by the Council of State for the 2015-16 pension cuts will get their cash in two stages. However, many of them face the risk of missing their deadlines as among the documents required is the certificate of inheritance acceptance. This is a document provided by courts which usually takes a significant amount of time.

The Labor Ministry and the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) are resorting to the mobilization of the latter's retired experienced officials who have departed from the crucial departments for pension issues and processing social security demands, as the problem of outstanding applications has grown considerably, much to the dismay of pensioners.

The Labor Ministry is planning to implement payouts by December 21 to a series of workers who in the last few months have found themselves in a peculiar labor status with contract suspension, the forced closure of the enterprises where they work, teleworking and special-purpose leaves in a bid to respond to the unprecedented conditions of the pandemic.

Opposition SYRIZA chief Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday accused the center-right government of being "completely out of touch with reality" and failing to sufficiently address the economic impact of the health crisis.

"Even shame is ashamed," Tsipras said during debate on a Labor Ministry bill outlining support measures.

Employers seeking to secure state subsidies for some or all of their staff through the new Syn-Ergasia mechanism launched on Monday will need to submit two applications with very tight deadlines.

Workers in the catering and tourism industry clashed briefly with riot police in central Athens on Thursday during a demonstration to protest the effects of the pandemic on their jobs and the sectors.

The rally was called by the Communist Party-affiliated PAME union.