Society
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.
One in two Greek households rely on pensions to make ends meet
The main, and in many cases only, source of income for almost half of Greek households are pensions, whereas they rely on salaries most in just one in three cases, according to a new survey.
Despite pledges, Greeks uncertain and feel recovery will take years
Much of the government’s strategy for political survival and for retaining support for the fiscal adjustment programme relies on Greeks beginning to feel from this year that their country is turning the corner. A new poll published this week underlines just how big a challenge the coalition faces in convincing people that a recovery is on the way.
A third of Greek homeowners fear losing their properties in 2014
Roughly one in three Greeks fears losing their home in 2014 despite the restrictions on foreclosures the government has kept in place for the New Year.