OUR extraordinary support for retirees with personal differences who receive low and medium pensions and new debt management system for social security agencies included the most important provisions of the competence of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, which are included in the bill of the Ministry of Finance, which was submitted late in the evening to Parliament.

Regarding the first measure, as the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs noted in a statement:

A one-time financial assistance of 200-300 euros is set for pensioners who, due to personal differences, did not benefit much or at all from the 7.75% increase that came into force on January 1, 2023.

The benefit covers all pensioners with personal distinction and with a basic pension income of up to 1,600 euros per month, i.e. 1,112,000 pensioners. The amount of assistance depends on the amount of pension paid and personal differences.

Who will receive emergency care?

In this context:

• Pensioners who did not see the 7.75% increase at all due to personal differences and receive a basic pension of up to 1,100 euros will receive emergency assistance of 300 euros.
• Pensioners who have not seen a 7.75% increase at all due to personal differences and receive a basic pension between 1,100 and 1,600 euros per month, or who have seen a smaller increase (up to 3.49%) and receive a basic pension of up to 1,100 euros.
• Pensioners who have received an increase of up to 3.49% and receive a basic pension of 1,100 euros to 1,600 euros, or a 3.5% increase to 6.99% and receive a basic pension of up to 1,100 euros will receive emergency assistance of 200 euros.

Emergency financial aid paid until March 31, 2023. It is tax-free, non-assignable and non-confiscable in the hands of the public or third parties. It is not tied to or counted against confirmed debts to government agencies, does not count against income for the payment of any social or social benefits, and is not subject to any fees, contributions or other deductions in favor of the population. or EFKA.

New basis for debt obligations to social security institutions

At the same time, enter new basis for debt obligations to social security agencies. The provisions of this new base are fully consistent with those provided for debts to the tax authorities.

Specifically:

For those who lost their insurance contracts for 120 or 72 installments by February 1, 2023, it is possible to restore them by paying two monthly installments, covering the two oldest installments due until July 31, 2023. Lost payments carried forward interest at the end of calculation .

Restoration is carried out at the request of the debtor, submitted before July 31, 2023, until the debts are due, after the loss of collusion and before the entry into force of this legislative norm: under the out-of-court mechanism of Law 4469/2017 or b) in the settlement of debts of Law 4738/2020 (“ second chance”). In addition, the debtor must not have other overdue and outstanding debts to EFCA. If he has other debts in arrears, the restoration of the arrangement occurs on the condition that they have been subject to the arrangement, which is respected.

The revival comes with all the benefits and obligations of the lost device, i.e. provision of certificates of awareness, suspension of the continuation of the enforcement procedure for regulated debts, etc.

Another provision stipulates that debts to social security authorities, other than TEKA, relating to the period of employment from September 2021 to December 2022 and overdue, may be subject to partial repayment in the amount of 36 to 72 payments with the corresponding interest rate valid at a fixed setting of 24 doses . This new agreement may also include debts that are included in serviced – as of February 1, 2023 – standing agreements, if these agreements only include debts created during the above employment periods (September 2021 to December 2022). Debtors with arrears to EFKA that are not subject to regulation, which is observed, cannot use the new scheme.

The debtor’s application for inclusion in the regulations is also submitted in this case until July 31, 2023. Inclusion is carried out by paying the first installment before the last business day of the month in which the application is submitted. Subsequent payments are due on the last business day of each month following the payment of the first installment. The amount of each contribution, the number of contributions and any other necessary details shall be determined by the decision, which shall be included in the regulations. The minimum amount of the monthly payment is set at 30 euros by agreement. The debtor may choose at any stage of the settlement to make a lump sum payment of the balance of the repaid debt without the burden of interest. The agreement becomes invalid if the debtor does not pay the amount of contributions corresponding to two installments of the agreement, or does not pay the current insurance premiums on time.

Other reserves

By the same bill:

• Electronic filing for unemployment benefits established. In particular, it is provided that in order to receive a subsidy, an unemployed person submits an application for a subsidy to the competent department of the State Employment Service (DYPA), i.e. Employment Assistance Center at the place of residence within 60 days after receiving the subsidy. termination of employment relationship. The application is submitted personally or by a person authorized by law in the relevant shop or electronically.
• Benefits are provided for the payment of insurance debts of companies in the fur industry, due to the very big blow they received, given that their main clients are from Russia and Ukraine.
• There is an obligation to pay insurance premiums to the RSA for individuals joining subsidized rural development programs for young farmers and installing photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of less than 500 kW (previously the limit was 100 kW).
• Labor books of hotel employees have been abolished. Compliance with the conditions of employment or employment (the employee does not have a contagious or contagious disease and the absence of an irrevocable conviction for fraud, theft, embezzlement, etc.) is confirmed by the presentation of relevant medical certificates. and a copy of the conviction.
• Fixed-term private law employment contracts for temporary employees of social security institutions administered by the Ministry of Labor and providing their services at the time of entry into force of the regulation are extended from the date of their expiration until the publication of information on the appointment of successful candidates. final lists of appointees of ASEP Decree No. 7K/2019 and in no event later than September 30, 2023.
• Finally, a provision is introduced that paves the way for the issuance of a new general regulation on loading and unloading operations in the ports of the country in accordance with the decision of the State Council.