Regarding the issue that arose with a decision of the Council of State concerning widow pensions, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Anna Efthymiou spoke on the ERT show “Political Kitchen,” clarifying that there is no possibility of cutting them. “We want to reassure and guarantee all widow pension beneficiaries that there is no possibility that we will proceed with cuts to widow pensions. This is clear,” Mrs. Efthymiou said initially. As she explained, the issue arose due to a Council of State decision, which has not yet been served to the ministry and currently there is only a summary of the decision, which provides for granting only one national pension in cases of pension accumulation.
Anna Efthymiou: “Widow pensions are top priority”
“There is a summary of the decision. It has not been served to us, we haven’t seen it. When it is served to us, we will be able to have a more substantiated view,” Mrs. Efthymiou said, however she emphasized that “there is political will” and “if necessary the government will legislate in the direction of ensuring no cuts are made regarding the part affected by the Council of State decision.”
“In any case, regarding the framework of my responsibilities and capabilities in my portfolio, widow pensions are a top priority. They concern a very large, sensitive segment of our society. Therefore, a comprehensive solution is being studied in the direction of not cutting them. Clearly under the perspective of obviously maintaining equality and equal treatment,” she concluded.
