Commenting on the statements by Labor Minister Niki Kerameos regarding the inclusion of National Health System (NHS) workers in the Heavy and Hazardous Occupations (HHO) category, the president of POEDIN, Michalis Giannakos, spoke on the “Morning Starting Point” show of radio station Parapolitika 90.1 and journalist Eris Panagou.
He characterized the announcement as positive, emphasizing however that there are serious pending issues and ambiguities that need to be clarified by the Labor Ministry. As he stated characteristically: “Inclusion in HHO constitutes a permanent and long-standing demand of our sector. We cannot say that it is not a positive measure”.
“There are two-speed workers”
The POEDIN president explained that today inequality prevails between old and new employees in the NHS, as those hired after 2011 and working in specialties that the former IKA regulation characterizes as heavy and hazardous, are already insured under HHO.
Conversely, as he noted, many workers hired before 2011 remain outside this system, although they work in the same specialties. “A new nurse or technologist after 2011 is included in HHO, while an older worker in the same position may be left out. This is an injustice that must be corrected,” he emphasized.
Calls for universal application for all healthcare professions
Mr. Giannakos argued that the regulation should not only concern nurses and paramedics, but all specialties provided for by the IKA regulation, such as technologists, cleaners and other hospital workers. “All professions that the IKA regulation characterizes as heavy and hazardous must be included without exceptions,” he noted.
Concern about the cost of buying back contributions
He made special reference to the possibility that workers may be asked to pay additional insurance contributions retroactively in order to recognize time in HHO. As he said, this could significantly burden those who are close to retirement.
“If workers who need two or three years for retirement are asked to pay retroactive contributions for 12 years, then for many the inclusion will not be profitable,” he pointed out. At the same time, he clarified that for younger workers the regulation may prove particularly favorable, as HHO gives the possibility of retirement up to five years earlier.
“The Labor Ministry must clarify the unclear points”
The POEDIN president mentioned that the Federation will immediately request a meeting with the Labor Ministry, so that the terms of implementation of the regulation are clarified. He also reminded that a relevant report by a committee under pulmonology professor Mr. Behraki has already been submitted four years ago to the Labor Ministry. “There are gray areas that need to be clarified. We demand that the inclusion be made with retroactive effect and without additional financial burden for the workers,” he stated.
