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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-15
CONTENTS
[01] Pension issues discussed at labour minister's meeting with
institutions
[02] Greek FinMin, institutions review budget figures
[03] Suspended jail sentences for 79 'faking' blindness for benefits;
4.5 years for doctor involved
[01] Pension issues discussed at labour minister's meeting with
institutions
Pension system related issues dominated talks between Labour Minister
George Katrougalos and representatives of the institutions in Athens
on Thursday. Speaking after the meeting, Katrougalos said the two
main issues discussed were a request made by various professional
associations - such as lawyers, civil engineers and others - for the
foundation of professional funds, as well as the implementation of a
measure announced by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras for a 'freeze' of
the outstanding social insurance debts of the self-employed, provided
they were up-to-date with current payments.
The measure announced by the premier will allow all accumulated debts
up to December 31, 2016 to be 'put in hibernation' so that those insured
with the OAEE and ETAA funds for the self-employed can receive documents
showing they are up to date with payments, providing they pay new social
insurance contributions that come due after January 1, 2017.
Katrougalos said the representatives of Greece's lenders asked to see
"specific numbers and also specific and substantiated proposals on these
issues." He said the figures will be sent to the institutions over the
coming days and discussed in conference calls next week.
Asked about the "advertising stamp duty" that finances the journalists'
pension and health fund, the minister said there would be no further
extension of this and that a meeting will be held on Friday with
representatives of media workers to discuss the next moves.
[02] Greek FinMin, institutions review budget figures
Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Deputy Finance Minister
George Chouliarakis on Thursday presented budget execution data during a
meeting with representatives of the institutions to discuss developments
in public finances.
Finance ministry sources said the Greek side underlined an improvement
in budget revenue this year, which surpassed estimates, and noted
that this improvement will continue in 2017. The same sources said
that an expected improvement in next year's revenues was the result of
implementing specific measures which were of particular importance for
the outlook of economic recovery in the country.
[03] Suspended jail sentences for 79 'faking' blindness for benefits;
4.5 years for doctor involved
A Chios Misdemeanours Court on Thursday handed down six-month jail terms,
suspended for three years, for 79 defendants found guilty of fraudulently
claiming blindness in order to claim disability benefits. All 79
had applied with fake certificates of blindness issued by a specific
doctor. Of the 120 originally charged, nine had passed away before
they were indicted, 19 died before the case came to trial, six were
acquitted of deliberate fraud and seven were acquitted due to doubts.
The hospital oculist that issued the fake certificates of blindness
was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, suspended pending
appeal on condition that the doctor be put on probation.
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