A new survey shows that eight in ten Greeks (80.4 percent) see life in Greece as being unfair to its citizens, while 81.9 percent believe that wealth is distributed unfairly in favor of businessmen, and 86.5 percent call for an in increase in taxes for the rich for reasons of social justice.
These are the findings of a major survey conducted in April by Eteron – Institute for Research and Social Change with the title “Economic Justice”. The aim of the survey was to examines citizens’ perceptions of the economy, economic and social inequalities in Greece, their ideological positions on the economy and, finally, their views on specific economic policies in key areas.
According to the findings, 63.4 percent of citizens say they are dissatisfied with their personal finances, a higher percentage compared to 57.3 percent in 2021 on the same issue. At the same time, 81.9 percent believe that the wealth produced is distributed unfairly, with business owners favored and workers receiving little. At the same time, 82.2 percent believe that current state policy mainly favors big businesses.
The perception of social injustice is reflected even more strongly in the overall image of the country: 80.4 percent of respondents characterize Greece as an unfair country, compared to 74.5 percent in 2021, while 84 percent believe that social injustices in Greece are greater compared to other European countries.
Unfair taxation
The survey highlights that Greeks have a clear demand for a stronger public role in the economy as 48.9 percent favor an economic system that is based more on state planning and intervention, compared to 41.6 percent who prefer a model more oriented towards the free market.
Correspondingly, 61.9 percent support increasing taxes on high incomes and great wealth, in order to strengthen public services, the welfare state and reduce inequalities. Even stronger is the agreement with the position that taxes on the rich must be increased in order to ensure taxation justice and support for the weakest, with the relevant percentage reaching 86.5 percent.
At the same time, 87.1 percent believe that employees and pensioners bear the main tax burden in Greece, a feeling that there is tax inequality.
Universal demand for public control on social goods
Citizens’ preference for public control remains particularly strong in key social sectors. Specifically, most respondents believe that there should be public control in:
Education, 90.8 percent,
Water supply 90.4 percent,
Health 90.2 percent,
Social Security and health insurance 87.8 percent,
Energy 77.5 percent,
Ground Transportation by 72.3 percent.
Even in the banking system, 54.4 percent are in favor of mainly public control. Air transport is the only sector in which the majority of respondents (56.8 percent) chose control of the private sector.
Low wages and housing costs at the top of social injustices
Financial pressure is also clearly reflected in the work experience. Only 36.7 percent of employees believe that they receive fair financial compensation for their profession, while 62.4 percent responded that their wages are somewhat or not at all fair. A similar picture is recorded in terms of matching compensation with experience and effort at work, where 62.8 percent declare themselves dissatisfied.
When asked about the greatest injustices facing the country today, Greek citizens placed from top to bottom:
Low wages that do not allow for a decent living, 60.7 percent,
High housing costs for those living in rent, 57.7 percent,
lack of meritocracy, 45.8 percent,
tax inequalities, 45.1 percent,
underemployment of young people, 39.1 percent.
Regarding housing policy, the main priorities for people are low-interest loans for the purchase of a first home with 56.4 percent, the ceiling on rent increases with 46.8 percent, and the construction of social housing with 38.9 percent.
The need for social protection
The survey results record a strong social perception that freedom, justice, and development cannot be disconnected from social protection.
The results show that 64.4 percent of Greeks surveyed believe that individual freedom presupposes liberation from poverty, a strong social protection system, and an active role of the state in monitoring the markets. At the same time, 66.4 percent believe that economic inequalities are not a natural phenomenon, but a result of the economic and social system.
The importance of the issue is almost universally recognized: 88.1 percent assess inequalities as a very or fairly important problem. The respondents showed support for collective labor institutions: 71.3 percent believe that without strong unions and collective agreements, there cannot be well-paying jobs.
As far as the insurance system is concerned, 78.4 percent consider social security should be fairer, as it allows for the collective treatment of risks on the basis of solidarity, compared to 18.2 percent who prefer private insurance.
In the field of ideological references, social democracy is recorded as the approach that, according to most respondents, can guarantee stronger and fairer development, garnering 20.6 percent of participants. It is followed by socialism with 18.9 percent and liberalism with 16.6 percent.
At the same time, the Center-Left/Left appears to have a lead in trust over the Center-Right/Right on issues such as reducing economic inequalities (48 percent), fair taxation (40.4 percent), a fair pension system (40.2 percent) and the expansion of collective bargaining (48.8 percent).
Gender discrimination and equality at work
The survey also records strong recognition of gender inequalities in the labor market with 65.9 percent of respondents saying they believe so. Specifically, they believe that women do not have the same opportunities as men in getting hired and occupy positions that correspond to their qualifications. Also, 63.5 percent believe that women with the same qualifications need to try harder than men to be recognized.
At the same time, 69 percent believe that sexual harassment is very widespread in the workplace, while 84.1 percent agree that homosexual and transgender people should be treated equally in recruitment and at work.
The findings of the survey reflect a society that does not treat inequalities as inevitable, but as a matter of political choices. Citizens are demanding fair wages, affordable housing, strong public services, fair taxation, social security, and meaningful protection at work.
Analyzing the survey results, the majority of Greeks believe that economic growth is not evaluated solely on the basis of market indexes, but on the basis of whether it provides security, dignity, and justice for the majority of Greeks.
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