Greece’s Crisis Turns into Reality Program in the United Kingdom

A new program ‘Go Greek for a Week’ premieres on Channel 4 of the United Kingdom that will present three British families trying out the tax, pensions, and work practices that caused Greece’s economic crisis and brought on the austerity measures aimed at cutting the deficit and qualifying for EU bailouts.

A 54-year-old British hairdresser discovers the generosity of the Greek pensions system, which still allows hairdressers, pastry chefs, radio continuity announcers, and people in almost 600 other jobs to retire aged 53 at 90% of their final salary because their jobs are defined as hazardous.

A bus driver reaps the rewards of the Greek approach to state-run services, where bus drivers are paid double the national average salary and receive extra bonuses for arriving at work early and for checking bus tickets.

A British surgeon is delighted to discover how paying income tax the Greek way will transform his disposable income.

The personal experiences of the three main characters are supported by interviews that establish the patterns of tax evasion, corruption, and mismanagement that have helped sink the Greek economy.