Society
Most Greeks saw income fall over last year, limiting purchasing power
The results of a survey by the Labour Institute (INE) of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), which was published on July 17, highlighted how salary earners’ purchasing power has been limited.
Just 8 percent of Greece's 1.27 mln registered unemployed receive benefits
As we have highlighted before, one of the consequences of the Greek crisis often overlooked is that the vast majority of the country’s unemployed do not receive benefits as they would in many European Union countries.
Young Greeks more likely to swap items and buy second hand
During the economic crisis people have been watching Greece closely for signs of a change in mentality or attitudes in the country, particularly with respect to whether young Greeks are adopting different practices to the previous generation.
Greek union data suggest workers get paid late or in kind
Many Greek workers are not receiving their salaries on time or are being paid in kind rather than money, according to data gathered by the Labour Institute (INE) of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE).
Long-term jobless rate of 71 pct poses new set of social challenges for Greece
There was a time when Greece’s unemployment rate caught the media’s attention as it quadrupled from the 7.3 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to the recent record high of 27.8 percent in the first quarter of 2014. There is less of a fuss these days, though.
Ahead of European elections, Greeks display wavering faith in EU
With just a few days to go until the European Parliament elections, two surveys have shown that support for the European Union and its institutions remains particularly weak in Greece.
Cost of petty corruption in Greece has halved during crisis
The crisis appears to have led to a substantial reduction in petty corruption, with its overall cost halving over the last five years, a recent survey conducted by Public Issue for Transparency International has found.
Social support in Greece not adequate enough to deal with crisis, says OECD
A recent OECD study examining the aftermath of the crisis has highlighted the social difficulties that have been created but also points the inequalities that were created by a poor welfare system before the country’s economic problems began.
Greek justice slower despite reform efforts during crisis
The European Commission’s Task Force for Greece (TFGR) published last week its sixth quarterly activity report, examining what progress has been made in a number of areas where Athens has been receiving technical support to improve public services and administration.
Shortcomings in healthcare seen at forefront of austerity impact in Greece
Healthcare has become one of the key issues in the Greek crisis: Not only is it a source of political friction but it also provides one of the clearest indications of the impact spending cuts have had.