The Greek government appeared ready to proceed with cuts to supplementary pensions and certain sectors’ primary pensions, following a meeting in Athens on Tuesday afternoon between a relevant labour ministry secretary general and a delegation representing the EC-ECB-IMF ‘troika’, according to Athens News Agency.
The meeting reportedly focused on measures to save roughly 300 million euros, as part of permanent measures such as cuts in the social security system, a demand repeatedly tabled over the recent period by the country΄s European and international creditors.
According to reports, the two sides reached an agreement for 7 percent cuts in the primary social security payments allocated by the seamen΄s fund (NAT), and a 20 percent “haircut” in “higher-end” pensions paid out by so-called special funds, namely, the power company (PPC) employees΄ auxiliary pension, the fund for the telephone (OTE) utility΄s workforce and bank employees.
The 20 percent figure, ostensibly aimed at pensions of more than 1,200 to 1,300 euros, will be decreased, reports state, with savings in this category estimated at 100 million euros a year.
The remaining 200 million euros need to be found solely from decreases in supplementary pensions, a prospect that generated disagreements with the parties that back or backed the interim Papademos government up until last week.
The reductions will be 15 percent on average, although the ceiling has not been finalised as of yet, namely, if reductions will be slapped on auxiliary pensions greater than 150, 200 or 300 euros.
The troika representatives reportedly requested and received relevant figures on the number of pension fund beneficiaries and the monthly payments they receive.
According to ministry officials, the measures will be agreed upon by noon on Wednesday at the latest.
(source: ana-mpa, capital)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
