Pressure by the Troika to reduce supplementary pensions and block the issue of new supplementary pension schemes in Greece in 2014
| 11 September 2014 |
|
|
| Question for written answer to the Commission Rule 130 Notis Marias (ECR) |
||
At the meeting held in Paris on 2-4 September 2014 between the Greek Government and the Troika, lenders’ representatives insisted, on the one hand, on reducing supplementary pensions and, on the other, on blocking the issue of new supplementary pension schemes in 2014.
As of 1.7.2014, supplementary pensions have already been horizontally cut by 5.2%. This comes at a time when more than 750 000 pensioners are living on the threshold of absolute poverty, as their gross monthly earnings do not exceed EUR 547, as the report ‘Ilios’ issued by the Ministry of Labour shows.
On the basis of the above, will the Commission, in its capacity as member of the Troika, state:
| 1. | Does it insist on reductions in supplementary pensions in Greece at a time when impoverished pensioners in Greece are unable to survive because of reductions in pensions but also because of the economic damage inflicted on the Greek economy by the Memorandum imposed by the Troika, as the European Parliament acknowledged incidentally in its resolution of 13.3.2014? |
| 2. | Does it stand by its refusal to allow the issue of new supplementary pensions in Greece in 2014? |
Source: European Parliament
Answer given by Mr Moscovici on behalf of the Commission
1. The Commission as part of the Troika discusses and negotiates the broad outlines of the policies that are incorporated in the memorandum of understanding of the 2nd Economic Adjustment Programme for Greece(1). However, the details of the specific measures to comply with the programme’s policy conditionality are ultimately decided by the Greek authorities.
The recent reforms to the supplementary pension funds (law 4052/2012) have several objectives: to ensure the fiscal sustainability of the pension funds; to simplify the highly fragmented system; to enhance transparency and to increase fairness by strengthening the link between contributions paid and pension benefits received. Reforms were needed to provide adequate and safe pensions over the short, medium and long run. Furthermore, the burden of the adjustment on the less well-off segment of pensioners is mitigated by minimum pensions and the Social Solidarity Grant (EKAS) which effectively combat the most extreme poverty amongst pensioners.
2. The Commission is not aware of any suspension in the issuing of supplementary pensions to persons retiring in 2014(2).
|
Source: European Parliament
Recent Comments